Relay Graduate School of Education

What is the history of Relay Graduate School of Education?

Relay Graduate School of Education was established in New York in 2011 as a graduate institution focused on preparing teachers and school leaders. Its origins lie in Teacher U, a teacher-training initiative developed with school networks including Achievement First, KIPP, and Uncommon Schools.

That history helps explain Relay's emphasis on learning through classroom practice rather than treating teaching as a subject studied only in lectures. Relay later expanded its programs beyond New York City. Because program availability can differ by location and change over time, applicants should evaluate the specific Relay program and state in which they intend to study.

What are the faculties and departments at Relay Graduate School of Education?

Relay is a specialized graduate school of education, not a university organized into numerous colleges and undergraduate majors. Its academic offerings center on teacher preparation, educator development, and school leadership.

Programs have included a Master of Arts in Teaching and certificate or certification pathways for educators. The relevant distinction for applicants is whether a program awards a graduate degree, prepares them for a state teaching credential, provides professional development, or combines those purposes. A degree alone does not automatically confer a teaching license: certification depends on the requirements of the state where the applicant plans to work. Program schedules and subject-area options may also vary by location.

What is the location of Relay Graduate School of Education?

Relay Graduate School of Education is based in New York City and offers education programs in multiple locations. It should not be evaluated as though every student attends a single, residential Manhattan campus.

New York City students should expect an urban setting and plan travel around the location of their classes and, where required, their school-based work. A placement school may be separate from the instructional site, making the commute between home, work, and coursework more important than the distance to a central office. Applicants outside New York should confirm which activities take place locally, online, or in person before choosing a program.

What is the mission and vision of Relay Graduate School of Education?

Relay's stated educational purpose is to prepare and support teachers and school leaders so they can improve students' learning. Its approach places substantial weight on applying instructional methods in real classrooms and using feedback to improve practice.

This is a professional preparation mission rather than a broad liberal-arts mission. For a prospective student, the practical question is whether Relay's practice-centered model fits their career stage and the requirements of the school or state where they intend to teach. A stated mission describes an institution's priorities; it does not, by itself, establish how any individual student or future classroom will perform.