Brooklyn Lab Charter School Case Study

Client: Brooklyn Lab Charter School

Role: Internal Communications Coordinator
Year: 2020-2021

The Challenge

Brooklyn Lab Charter School (LAB) faced unprecedented challenges in preparing for the post-COVID-19 reopening of its schools. Ensuring safe, structured, and engaging communication was paramount for students, families, and staff. The school needed an internal communications strategy that aligned with facilities upgrades, instructional scheduling, and student safety protocols while engaging key external stakeholders and partner organizations.

LAB was at the forefront of school reopening innovation, working with top design firms, education-focused organizations, and policy leaders to craft solutions that could be implemented not only in Brooklyn Lab but also in schools nationwide.

The Approach

As the Internal Communications Coordinator, I played a pivotal role in crafting the messaging, design, and engagement strategies for three major initiatives:

  1. The Front Porch Concept – A redesigned school entry system that optimized safety, arrival efficiency, and community engagement.

  2. Back-to-School Facilities Toolkit – A detailed guide to upgrading school spaces to meet social distancing and hygiene standards.

  3. Instructional Program Scheduling Map – A framework for structuring hybrid and in-person learning models while ensuring equitable access for all students.

Key Responsibilities:

✅ Internal & External Messaging – Developed content to clearly communicate reopening plans to staff, students, and external partners.
✅ Press & Media Coordination – Ensured that LAB’s reopening strategies received national attention by preparing media kits and stakeholder reports.
✅ Collaborative Engagement – Worked directly with architects, urban planners, policymakers, and education nonprofits to refine and disseminate strategies.
✅ Visual & Digital Communications – Created newsletters, internal briefings, and social media content to keep all stakeholders informed.

Collaborating with External Partners & Stakeholders

My role involved communicating and working alongside renowned partners in architecture, urban planning, and education reform to bring LAB’s initiatives to life. These included:

Design & Urban Planning Firms

  • Urban Projects Collaborative (UPC) – Oversaw facilities planning and capital projects.

  • Gensler – A global architecture firm that shaped innovative classroom and school layouts.

  • PBDW Architects – Focused on inclusive classroom design and safe learning spaces.

  • SITU & WXY – Developed the Front Porch Concept, addressing school entry bottlenecks and creating adaptable arrival strategies.

Education & Policy Organizations

  • InnovateEDU – Helped develop the Instructional Program Scheduling Map to support hybrid learning.

  • EdTogether – Focused on equitable education for students with disabilities.

  • The National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools (NCSECS) – Ensured reopening strategies addressed the needs of special education students.

  • Public Impact – Provided research and strategic insights on educator roles and classroom management.

  • TNTP – Assisted with teacher development and instructional best practices.

  • Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College (Arizona State University) – Contributed expertise on teacher preparation for hybrid learning models.

Community & Public Health Experts

  • Dr. Nadine J. Cohen, MD – Provided public health guidance on student safety measures.

  • Urban Umbrella – Supplied modular structures for outdoor student waiting areas as part of the Front Porch initiative.

The Results

✅ National Recognition & Thought Leadership – LAB’s reopening strategies were featured in:

  • Architect Magazine

  • The 74 Million

  • PR Newswire

  • Thomas B. Fordham Institute

  • Next Generation Learning Challenges

✅ Stronger Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborations with designers, educators, and policymakers helped LAB become a national model for post-COVID school reopening.

✅ Increased Awareness & Adoption – The Back-to-School Facilities Toolkit and Instructional Scheduling Map were distributed as blueprints for other K-12 institutions navigating pandemic-related challenges.

✅ Effective Communication & Digital Engagement – The comprehensive internal communication strategy ensured parents, students, and staff had clear, accessible information regarding reopening plans.

Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Cross-Sector Collaboration is Key – Working with architects, educators, and public health experts allowed for holistic, scalable solutions.
2️⃣ Communication Drives Implementation – Clear messaging ensured that complex design and scheduling strategies were understood and effectively executed.
3️⃣ Storytelling Enhances Impact – By translating technical strategies into engaging narratives, I helped position LAB as a leader in safe school reopening efforts.

Final Thought

This case study exemplifies how strategic communication, design, and education policy come together to solve real-world challenges. Through my work at Brooklyn Lab Charter School, I demonstrated my ability to coordinate high-level collaborations, develop compelling messaging, and drive impactful initiatives.

Want to create a communication strategy that brings clarity, engagement, and impact?
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