Donate to Vertus

Thank you so much for your interest in Vertus High School.

Your support of our students makes Vertus possible. All donations are anonymous unless otherwise specified, Ex: Sponsorships. All donations are tax deductible; once your donation is processed, you will receive a tax receipt for your records.

Back to School: Support Our Freshmen Warriors

Even though Vertus operates year-round, fall remains a powerful season of new beginnings especially for our incoming 9th graders. For many of these young men, this will be their first time walking through our halls and becoming part of something bigger: a brotherhood rooted in courage, leadership, and responsibility.

They’ll begin learning our school structure, our creed, and what it truly means to be a Vertus Warrior, including discovering which team they’ll join: Team Samurai or Team Spartan.

Vertus is different by design. We don’t allow phones in the halls, classrooms, or lockers. We require uniforms to promote equity and focus. Our expectations for behavior in both classrooms and hallways are clear, consistent, and taught through strong mentorship and relationship-building, laying the foundation for trust, discipline, and long-term success.

To help set our newest students up for success, we invite you to support their back-to-school essentials:

Suggested Giving Levels

$25 – Supplies like notebooks, pens, binders, and folders
$50 – One brand-new school backpack
$75 – A pair of sturdy shoes for school
$100 – A full school uniform set (shirt, pants, belt, etc.)
$250 – Covers all the essentials for one freshman
$500+ – Supports mentorship programming and fall orientation activities

Your generosity ensures our students walk into school feeling confident, prepared, and supported ready to take on the year with pride.

Be part of their success. Donate today.

Donate Now

Donate Now to make a lasting impact!

Your donation can transform lives by supporting our mission to Prepare Leaders of Character. At Vertus High School, a non-profit public charter school in Rochester, NY, we serve grades 9-12, focusing on young men from underserved communities. In a city with the highest poverty rates in the state and some of the lowest graduation rates for young men of color, we are committed to defying the odds.

By contributing to Vertus, you are investing in a brighter future. Our comprehensive approach includes personalized, year-round academics, character education, career preparation, all within a nurturing and supportive environment.

Your generous gift will directly support:

Year-Round School Supplies: Ensuring students have the tools they need for academic success.
Required Uniforms: Promoting equality and a sense of belonging.
Vertus Red Blazer: A symbol of achievement earned through exemplary character, attendance, and future aspirations.
College Field Trips: Inspiring students with firsthand experiences of prospective colleges.
ACT Tutoring: Providing essential test preparation for college admissions.
Internships and Jobs: Offering summer and after-school opportunities to build real-world skills.
Job and College Preparation Assistance: Guiding students through job searches, application processes, and college prep.
Athletic Supplies: Keeping our programs accessible and free for all students.
Transportation: Ensuring students can participate in jobs, sports, activities, and our mandatory summer session.
Driver’s Education: Preparing students for independence and responsibility.

Join us in empowering Rochester’s young men to become tomorrow's leaders. Your support is not just a donation; it’s an investment in the future of our community.

Donate Now

To Donate by check

Please make your check out to: Vertus Charter School

And mail your check to:

ATTN: Julie Locey
Vertus High School
21 Humboldt Street
Rochester, NY 14609

AmazonSmile: Shop on Amazon and support Vertus!

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com.

Shop using AmazonSmile and the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to Vertus!

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"There's one proven way to break the cycle of poverty in one generation, and that is a good education. We must do what it takes to get our young men to college and good jobs. Our democracy depends on it."
-- Dr. Mac, Vertus Co-Founder