Welcome to The South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts (SBCSICA)—a dual language school where language, arts, and culture create a dynamic environment for learning and growth.
We believe that a school rich in creativity and cultural diversity is the ideal place to nurture students into lifelong learners who think critically, communicate effectively, and appreciate the world around them.
Walking through our hallways, you’ll hear both Spanish and English spoken naturally by students and staff.
Our walls come alive with student essays and artwork in two languages, showcasing learning across subjects through our Common Core–aligned curriculum.
Research shows that children’s brains are most receptive to language in their early years. We embrace this through our interdisciplinary approach, blending social studies, science, and literature in both languages—each experience enhanced by the arts.
“At SBCSICA, students don’t just learn a second language—they learn to see the world through two cultural lenses.”
These experiences make our students bilingual, bicultural, and globally minded, giving them the tools to succeed in an increasingly connected world.
Our work doesn’t stop at teaching—it’s about supporting every child’s journey. Teachers and staff are dedicated to recognizing each student’s strengths and addressing individual needs.
Through regular assessments, we monitor progress closely to ensure students are mastering material and receiving targeted support where needed. We believe that when learning is personalized and consistent, every student can thrive.
At SBCSICA, our mission is to model excellence in education by offering a constructivist and child-centered curriculum that challenges and inspires.
Our standards-based program is enriched with:
● An international perspective
● The arts
● ️ A dual language approach
Together, these create a well-rounded education that promotes growth in every dimension—cognitive, social, emotional, and moral.
We are proud to:
● Meet and exceed New York State Learning Standards
● Support our teachers through continuous professional development
● Empower our community— parents, staff, and partners— to play an active role in our school’s success
“At SBCSICA, learning goes beyond the classroom—it becomes a way of seeing, expressing, and connecting with the world.”
Hear firsthand how SBCSICA’s vision began and the mission that continues to guide our community today.
The curriculum at SBCSICA blends a constructivist model of education with New York State next generation learning Standards in a dual language program. Our approach emphasizes inquiry-based teaching, encouraging higher-order thinking while supporting the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual needs of every child.
At SBCSICA, learning extends beyond the classroom walls:
Evelyn Hey has been the principal of SBCSICA since it opened its doors in August 2005. She has over 25 years of experience in teaching and administration within the NYC public schools. She has expertise in professional development, thematic curriculum planning, bilingual curriculum programs, balanced literacy, best practices, and instructional leadership. She earned a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Bank Street College and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Good Counsel College.
Dr. Blige is a results-oriented and visionary educational leader with a track record of success in instructional administration/specialist. With a strong passion for fostering student achievement, Dr. Blige brings a wealth of expertise in designing and implementing effective instructional practices to support student learning and growth. As an Instructional Administrator, Dr. Blige has demonstrated exemplary leadership in driving educational excellence and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Dr. Blige has successfully led the development and implementation of district-wide instructional initiatives and frameworks. Through strategic planning and collaboration with stakeholders, Dr. Blige has streamlined educational programs, aligned standards, and supervised the evaluation and selection of instructional resources.
Dr. Blige has proven instrumental in providing targeted support and professional development opportunities to educators, fostering their instructional skills and pedagogical knowledge. By delivering impactful training sessions and workshops, Dr. Blige has empowered teachers to implement evidence-based instructional strategies, differentiation techniques, and assessment practices to maximize student learning outcomes. With a profound dedication to student success, Dr. Blige demonstrates a genuine commitment to creating a student-centered learning environment. By utilizing data analysis and formative assessments, Dr. Blige has effectively monitored student progress, identified areas for improvement, and developed targeted interventions tailored to individual student needs. Through collaboration with teachers, Dr. Blige has facilitated data-driven decision-making processes to optimize instructional practices and promote equitable student achievement.
Dr. Blige holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, complemented by over 25 years of experience and successful leadership. Dr. Blige has a relentless commitment to academic excellence, combines a deep understanding of educational best practices with strategic leadership to drive positive change and achieve outstanding results.
In summary, Dr. Blige is an esteemed and highly effective educational leader who has served students within the NYCDOE, leveraging exceptional leadership skills to drive educational excellence and foster a positive and inclusive school culture. With a focus on instructional quality, student achievement, and stakeholder engagement, Dr. Blige is dedicated to preparing students for success academically, personally, and professionally, making a lasting impact on their lives.
Azizi Madramootoo embarked on her educational journey in 2011, when she joined the SBCSICA community. Over the years, she has worn several hats, including that of a master teacher, an instructional coach, a staff developer, and an Assistant Principal. Today, Ms. Madramootoo proudly leads as the Elementary School Principal. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Kaplan University, and she has honed her leadership skills with a School Building Leader Advanced Certification from the College of St. Rose.
Viridiana Barban
Doctor in Education from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). MS in Science Education from Florida International University (FIU). Experienced Teacher with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary/university education industry. Specialist in Cooperative learning and Thinking-Based Learning (TBL) with nearly a decade of collaboration with Dr. Robert Swartz, author of the TBL approach. She has participated as a speaker at several conferences and teacher training courses in Spain and Latin America. Currently teaching Secondary and IB Diploma Programme and serving as an adjunct professor at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR). Founder and Director of OneTwoThink (www.onetwothink.com), an organization dedicated to research, training, and the design of educational resources related to the Pedagogy of Thinking (PdT).
The training
Teaching students how to think is essential to preparing a new generation capable of independent judgment, critical evaluation of information, and responsible citizenship in a rapidly changing world. True learning goes beyond memorization—it happens when students think effectively about content, build deep understanding, and transfer that knowledge to new contexts.
By engaging teachers in purposeful training, we equip them to foster strategic, rigorous, and skillful thinking in their classrooms. This approach transforms everyday lessons into opportunities for reflection, transfer of knowledge, and the development of thinking habits that will serve students for life.
“We train teachers to go beyond memorization—helping students think critically, creatively, and responsibly in a rapidly changing world.”
“Empowering educators to foster deep understanding, transferable skills, and a lifelong culture of thinking.”
“Transforming classrooms into spaces where thinking becomes the heart of learning.”
