Since establishing its first school in Newark, N.J. in 1997, Uncommon Schools has expanded to five cities. Now a charter management organization, Uncommon Schools operates 38 schools in three states. It serves nearly 5,000 students at 20 schools throughout New York City. The organization and its supporters cite Uncommon’s unique culture as essential to its success. Key aspects of that culture are a longer school day, with double-periods for math and reading and writing, and an extended school year.