Welcome

Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year at Sonia Sotomayor Middle School at Adelphi!

Dear Sonia Sotomayor Middle School Community,

As we prepare to begin an exciting new school year, I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to everyone. Your continued support, dedication, and enthusiasm are deeply valued. I look forward to another year of collaboration and shared success as we serve our students and families.

With the first day of school fast approaching, we embrace the collective anticipation of our scholars and families. This year, our guiding theme is:

“Driving Excellence through Compliance, Capacity, Culture, and Quality Instruction.”

This framework reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a learning environment where all students can thrive. We define these core pillars as follows:

• Compliance: Grounded in integrity, responsibility, and adherence to academic and behavioral expectations, these principles build the trust and consistency that drive schoolwide success. 
• Capacity: We strive to unlock each student’s potential by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth through meaningful, differentiated learning opportunities. 
• Culture: Our strength lies in our diversity. We are proud to cultivate an inclusive, respectful, and affirming culture that reflects and uplifts every member of our school community. 
• Instruction: High-quality, research-based instruction remains the heart of our mission. Our educators are dedicated to delivering engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences that meet the needs of all learners. 

Key Focus Areas for 2026–2027

To bring this theme to life, we are placing an intentional focus on supporting our scholars receiving special education services and our multilingual learners, particularly in mathematics. Through inclusive practices and targeted support, we aim to accelerate achievement and ensure equity for all students.

Furthermore, we are anchoring our academic culture in a commitment to Clear Learning and Standards-Aligned Goals. We will maintain rigorous standards, make Student Thinking Visible, and establish a "No Opt-Out" culture across all classrooms.

Our Strategic Frameworks

We will continue to advance our work through The Six Pillars of Community Schools:

1. Expanded and Culturally Relevant Curriculum
2. Effective Teaching Practices 
3. Inclusive Leadership 
4. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) 
5. Family and Community Partnerships 
6. Community Support Services 

Additionally, we will continue to operate as a Title I Schoolwide Program. This important designation supports our mission to serve all students by implementing four core components:

• Comprehensive Needs Assessment to identify areas of growth. 
• Evidence-Based Reform Strategies to drive academic success. 
• Parent and Family Engagement under the theme: Building Capacity, Fostering Culture, Ensuring Compliance. 
• Coordination of Federal, State, and Local Resources to maximize student support. 

Together, we will build a school year filled with purpose, growth, and achievement. With Bobcat Pride and a shared vision, I am confident that 2026–2027 will be one of our most impactful years yet.

With appreciation and excitement,

Leroy Alicea-Cabassa, Ed. D
Founding Principal