Thursday, September 11th, 2025: At Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Elementary, third-grade students are experiencing the magic of science firsthand! They have been closely observing Monarch caterpillars as they transform through each life cycle stage—from tiny caterpillars to chrysalis and soon to vibrant butterflies.

This hands-on learning experience allows students to see science in action while deepening their understanding of life cycles, patience, and the wonder of nature. The excitement in the classroom is contagious, as everyone eagerly awaits the moment the butterflies spread their wings and take flight!

What an incredible way to spark curiosity and bring learning to life.

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025: Citizenship & Science Academy Elementary officially opened its doors for the new school year with a joyful Meet the Teacher event on September 2nd! The halls came alive as more than 218 students and families joined us to connect with teachers, explore classrooms, and celebrate the start of an exciting year ahead.

The event wasn’t just about meeting teachers; it was a community gathering. Families, scholars, and staff filled the building with smiles, laughter, and a sense of togetherness that set the tone for the year. The energy was contagious and inspiring, from the warm welcomes to the eager conversations.

With such a strong and supportive start, the stage is set for an incredible year of growth, learning, and success at CSAS Elementary. We are excited to watch our scholars shine and accomplish amazing things this year! 

Here’s to a school year filled with community, curiosity, and celebration.

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025: Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse is excited to kick off another incredible school year! Our Atoms had a successful first day of school. Hallways were buzzing with excitement, classrooms came alive with learning, and the energy of new beginnings set the tone for a fantastic year ahead.

Our mission is guided by core values that shape everything we do:

Glocal Learning – We empower students to think globally while acting locally, preparing them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

College Preparation – From the very first day, we set our students toward higher education by fostering academic excellence, leadership, and perseverance.

STEM Curriculum – Our science, technology, engineering, and math programs challenge students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and prepare for the careers of tomorrow.

These values ensure that every Atom has the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in college, career, and life.

Here’s to a successful school year—welcome back, Atoms!

Monday, June 7th, 2025: Summer learning is officially underway at Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Elementary! The students kicked off the season with excitement as they began a journey filled with academic growth, hands-on activities, and plenty of fun.

Here’s to a summer full of discovery, learning, and making the most of every moment!

Friday, June 6th, 2025: At Citizenship & Science Academy of Science Elementary, guest speakers are essential to our curriculum, helping bring learning to life through real-world connections and hands-on experiences.

We were honored to welcome Aleu Tong, one of our Kindergarten dads, into the music room for a special cultural presentation. 

Aleu shared traditional music from South Sudan, offering our scholars a powerful glimpse into his culture through authentic songs, rhythms, and personal stories. Thank you, Aleu, for enriching our students’ understanding of music and the world around them!

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025: We proudly celebrate our Citizenship & Science Academy of Science Middle School students who participated in the 2025 Genius Olympiad, an international competition focused on environmental issues and global collaboration. One team took home third place, and another received an honorable mention.  

Hosted at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and organized by Terra Science and Education, the Genius Olympiad brings together students from more than 60 countries to present innovative projects and solutions that address some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. The competition also includes cultural celebrations like the International Fair, where students share traditions and connect with peers worldwide.

We applaud our Atoms for their dedication and global spirit. You represented CSAS and the SANY community with pride!

Saturday, May 31st, 2025: The Rocket Building Club from Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Elementary School participated in the Museum of Science & Technology's Rocket Team Challenge.

Representing CSAS with pride and enthusiasm, the 4th and 5th-grade teams showcased their STEM skills and teamwork as they launched their custom-built rockets into the sky. The 4th-grade team achieved an impressive launch height of 178 feet, while the 5th-grade team soared even higher, reaching 200 feet!

The day was filled with excitement, learning, and pride, with one enthusiastic 5th grader declaring, “This was the best non-school day ever!”

Congratulations to our Atoms for their hard work, creativity, and scientific curiosity. We’re proud of the incredible things you’re achieving in and out of the classroom!

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025: Kindergarten students at Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Elementary have been exploring the world of art through the vibrant and joyful lens of celebrated African-American artist Alma Thomas.

Known for her bold, colorful abstract paintings and signature radial designs, Alma Thomas inspires generations of artists with her unique use of color and movement. Drawing inspiration from her work, our young artists created their own radial and vibrant designs.

This art project allowed students to experiment with shape and color and introduced them to an influential figure in American art history. Through hands-on learning and guided creativity, our Kindergarten Atoms created pieces as bold, bright, and joyful as Alma Thomas herself.

Monday, May 19th, 2025: Ms. Mitscher’s small reading group at Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Elementary School recently brought a story to life meaningfully.

After reading a heartwarming tale about two pen pals, the students were inspired to embark on their own pen pal adventure. They wrote thoughtful letters introducing themselves and eagerly waited for replies. To their excitement, responses arrived! The Atoms were thrilled to learn more about their new friends, making connections that went far beyond the pages of their book.

This simple yet powerful activity supported literacy skills like reading and writing and helped students build communication and social-emotional learning in a real-world context.

Way to go, Ms. Mitscher’s readers! 

Tuesday, May 27th, 2025: We’re on a mission to ensure every student reads on grade level by the end of second grade, and that 60 percent of our third graders are reading proficiently by 2028. 

To support this goal, we’ve implemented the Road to Reading program by Dr. Benita Blachman and Darlene Tangel in our K-3 classrooms. This research-based, structured literacy approach emphasizes decodable texts, which are books that are essential for students developing strong decoding and comprehension skills.

But we couldn’t do this alone. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Jim and Julie Boeheim Foundation, we’ve been awarded a grant to help build our Road to Reading Decodable Libraries across our elementary schools!

This support allowed us to purchase $60,000 worth of Benchmark Education texts and backpacks for each student. This grant helps every kindergarten through 4th-grade student access texts aligned with our reading instruction. These libraries are vital for daily targeted instruction and long-term reading success.

We’re deeply grateful to the Boeheim Foundation for investing in our students’ futures and helping us close the literacy gap, especially for learners impacted by the pandemic. Together, we're opening the book to a brighter future in literacy!