FACTS, located in Chinatown, emphasizes cultural awareness and linguistic diversity both in its curriculum and in its daily operations. Since opening in 2005, the school has developed a reputation among immigrant families as a welcoming place not only for students, but also for their families and the surrounding community.

With a highly diverse population of students—Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Lao, Puerto Rican, and Mexican—the school takes pains to ensure that language barriers won’t prevent parents from supporting their children’s education.

School materials are sent home in four different languages, which “parents love,” said teacher Aurelia Bonitatis. Teachers also have parent call logs to ensure that families are updated on their student’s progress. Where language barriers arise, phone calls are translated by an outside contractor.