Launch Middle School  |  Grades 6-8  |  1580 Dean Street

Building Strong Foundations For Lifelong Learning

Launch Middle School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Brooklyn serving grades 6-8. For nearly 15 years, we have helped students grow into confident learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate leaders.

At Launch Middle School, students are supported to explore who they are, discover their passions, and prepare for success in high school and beyond.

 

Located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn

At the corner of Dean and Troy

1580 Dean Street,
3rd Floor of the PS243 building
Brooklyn, NY 11213

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Meet Our Middle School Leadership Team

At Launch Middle School, strong relationships fuel strong learning. Our students, staff, and families work together to build a joyful, supportive community where every student is known, challenged, and celebrated.

THE TEAM IS LED BY:

Shamikah Kenclock
Co-Principal

Amanda Leake
Co-Principal

Our Middle School Model

Learning That’s Active, Purposeful, And Connected

Launch Middle School is grounded in the Expeditionary Learning (EL Education) model, where students learn by doing, thinking critically, and connecting academics to real-world issues. Our students experience:

  • Student cutting vegetables

    A small-school environment and personalized support

  • Group of children and two young women smiling and holding a bunch of green plants in a garden or greenhouse.

    Rigorous, hands-on academics

  • Group of children in matching blue shirts and tan pants jumping in front of a brightly painted yellow, orange, and pink wall.

    Daily Crew advisory focused on belonging and leadership

  • Group of young women and girls protesting with signs and a megaphone, wearing matching orange shirts that say 'No More Silence Gun Violence'.

    Character development through the Habits of Heart and Mind

  • Three girls standing in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books, holding books, smiling at the camera.

    Real-world projects that connect learning to meaningful issues

  • Restorative justice practices that build strong, inclusive community

Why Families Choose Launch Middle School

  • Students dive deep into engaging, real-world projects that stretch their thinking and skills. Past expeditions have tackled topics like food justice, civil rights, and disrupting gun violence.

  • Every student is part of a daily Crew, a small advisory group where they build relationships, reflect on personal growth, and develop leadership skills that last a lifetime.

  • We prioritize the whole child. Through Crew, advisory, and reflection, students develop skills like empathy, perseverance, and self-awareness.

  • We focus on building community, accountability, and growth. When challenges arise, students participate in Crew circles and restorative conversations that help them reflect, take responsibility, and strengthen relationships.

  • Launch Middle School proudly serves all students, including those with IEPs and English Language Learners. We offer a continuum of support to meet individual learning needs while ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and challenged.

    Learn More About Inclusive Education

  • Students can join a wide range of free programs that foster academic success, creativity, and connection:

    • Award-Winning Step Team

    • Championship Basketball Team

    • Coding

    • Culinary Arts

    • Dance

    • Debate

    • Digital Art

    • Drumming

    • MMA and Boxing 

    • Swimming

 Ready To Launch Into Middle School?

Launch Middle School is enrolling 6th - 8th grade students for Fall 2025. Join a community where students are empowered to think critically, lead with purpose, and prepare for college, career, and life.