Principal, Bronx Prep Charter School

Marina Bernard Damiba, who came to this country as a ten-year-old immigrant from Haiti, is one of the emerging leaders in the charter school movement. In a neighborhood where crime, gangs, and delinquency are the norm, Marina Bernard Damiba's charisma, commitment to strong academics, and fierce dedication to her students has created an educational institution that's transforming lives.

Robin Hood, one of Bronx Prep's first large funders, honored Marina for her visionary work and her determination to make her students believe in themselves and to dream. In a neighborhood where only 11% of the kids score at grade level, Bronx Prep has raised that figure to 71 percent. In its first year of operation, the math scores at the school went up 46 percent and the daily attendance rate is an impressive 97 percent.

www.BronxPrep.org