Our Next Chapter.
A commitment to growth.
As we enter 2020 and our 125th anniversary we embark on a 20 year plan to reshape the physical campus of The Charlton School.
Thank you for coming along with us on this journey and being a part of an agency committed to fostering an environment that empowers students to grow and succeed.
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Latest News
The Sarah B. Foulke Arts Center Sets January Date for Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
A $200,0000 Grant begins “The Next Chapter” for The Charlton School
Saratoga Springs, NY – December 28, 2020 – The Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund awarded a $200,000 grant to The Charlton School, a therapeutic learning community located in Burnt Hills. This donation supports a 20-year long-term capital campaign planned to transform the school’s physical campus, one building at a time. The Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund donation specifically helped to finance renovations to a historic chapel that has served as a therapeutic arts space since 2014. The renovation project, which began in June 2020, was completed in early December by Schrader & Company Construction Services. The updated arts center will open its doors and dedicate the new space in honor of Sarah B. Foulke, at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, January 15 at 11am. There will also be an option to view the ceremony on Facebook @CharltonSchool.
Alex Capo, Executive Director of The Charlton School, said, “We are very grateful to be starting the new year in our new Arts Center! In appreciation for the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund’s generous support, we’re proud to name our new therapeutic arts space The Sarah B. Foulke Arts Center. An annual award will also be established as the Sarah B. Foulke Art Award. This award will be given to an outstanding art student at graduation each year and will encourage future generations of Charlton School students.”
Anthony J. Izzo, speaking on behalf of Suzan Nolan and Lyn Murphy, two other advisors to the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund, which is administered through The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, explained the impetus for the gift. “Sarah Blackwell Foulke, a long-time Saratoga Springs resident and an attorney who practiced in Saratoga County, was a kind, giving, compassionate, and courageous woman who loved the arts and her community. She felt women deserved better opportunities in this world than they have.”
“Sarah grew up in a challenging environment, both mentally and emotionally,” Suzan Nolan explained further. “Without access to the kind of support that Charlton School provides, though, Sarah had to fight her battles alone. Her struggle instilled an understanding that no one is perfect; Sarah often said that ‘we are all messy rooms sometimes.’ On her own, Sarah learned to use art, music, and writing as a way to process and genuinely express her feelings. These practices allowed Sarah to clear her head, work around insoluble problems, and succeed in life – first academically, then professionally, and always as an empathetic and generous friend.”
After touring the school and reviewing its mission, the Sarah B. Foulke Fund advisors decided that The Charlton School would be a good fit with Sarah’s interests in supporting the arts and opportunities that empower young women. Anthony Izzo adds, “We knew that naming the Arts Center in Sarah’s honor would create a long-lasting legacy to her spirit and passion for helping students of the school achieve great things and become their best selves. In this way, through The Charlton School, Sarah’s name will always be associated with enriching young students’ lives.”
Executive Director Capo added, “The Sarah B. Foulke Arts Center is the first in a series of campus buildings to be renovated to better accommodate the needs of our growing student population and to update our 75+ year-old campus facilities. We believe that every student deserves an environment and space that is reflective of respect and care, and one that will help facilitate their emotional, mental and physical health. We will be appealing to the community for support of our efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate our campus facilities now and throughout the next ten years of our capital campaign called ‘The Next Chapter’. The ‘Next Chapter’ will continue with the establishment of new student campus housing and the building of modern dormitory facilities. We are extremely grateful to the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund for their generous contribution and for being the catalyst in getting us started toward the achievement of our ongoing campaign fundraising goals.”
We would like to recognize and thank our community partners for helping to support the Charlton School programs
A Long History of Helping Youth
Founded in 1895 by John S. Hawley, who grew up on part of the property, originally his family’s farm. He returned to the area after becoming one of NYC’s most successful business owners and a pioneer in the candy industry. He donated the land and $25,000 to open The Charlton Industrial Farm School for Boys. With a mission to reclaim boys that seemed to be destined for a criminal life due to neglect and poverty.

In April 1938 the “new building” that had been constructed in the first years burned to the ground overnight. Boys were relocated to other institutions or family and the nearly 300 acre property laid mostly dormant for the next 17 years. Only occupied by a caretaker and his family in the small brick house that currently holds our business office on the west end of campus.

Things took a positive turn in 1955 when the board of trustees and executive director Mr. Huddeston opened the doors to young women. Hawley Cottage, the Administration building and soon Clemens cottage were built. The Charlton School began their mission of providing education and a home for young women within the Social Service system.

The Charlton School Today
Residential Cottages, the Ketchum-Grande Memorial School building, Admistration and Business Offices, The Equine Learning Center, Chapel, Family Cottage, Pool, Pavilion, Garages and an original Barn.
Now more than ever The Charlton School strives to create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters growth in our students and helps them to succeed educationally, emotionally, and far beyond graduation.
You Can Help
Matching Donations
At the request of a generous supporter of Charlton we have been tasked with raising a sum of $50,000 from our community, those we like to refer to as The Charlton Family. No amount is too small, and your help to reach that goal is greatly appreciated!
Ruth Megantz Bryan
Board of Trustees 1970 to 2003
Mrs. Megantz Bryan held positions of President and Treasurer during her many years of work with The Charlton School and was an integral part of the Burnt Hills community. Sadly, Mrs. Megantz Bryan passed away on May 20,2019. To further her legacy at Charlton, she left the school a significant contribution that has become the foundation for The Next Chapter
Become a Named Sponsor
All over campus the influence of those that have helped to shape the agency can be seen. In some cases areas bear the name of major contributors. If you or your organization would like to be involved at that level we would love to give you a tour and discuss working together.
Recent Projects
The Work has begun in some areas,
but we’re just getting started!
Equine Learning Center
We built an all new Indoor riding building with 4 stables, a large paddock and training ring to house our Therapeutic Equine Program.
2015
School Expansion
Adding 7 classrooms and 3 offices to the existing Ketchum-Grande Memorial School building. Nearly doubling it’s size!
2013
Network Update and Technology in the Classroom
A continued project has been started to get our campus fully WiFi connected. Students are now issued a Chromebook at admission and they are used in nearly every class.
2017 – Ongoing
Student internet access is limited to instruction in school
Family Connections Program
Contributions have helped support the use of a former residential cottage as a place for families to stay free of charge and visit their student to participate in campus events, meetings, and family therapy.
2016 – Ongoing
