As the 25th anniversary of her husband Adam J. Lewis’ death in the Twin Towers nears, Patty Lewis could spend her time looking backward.
Instead, she focuses on the future.
And the future of Adam J. Lewis Academy is bright indeed.
Its preschool opened with 12 children in 2013, in a revitalized Bridgeport property. The school was the brainchild and passion project of Patty and Westporter Julie Mombello. Both were longtime friends, and educators at Greens Farms Academy.
Patty Lewis (left) and Julie Mombello
Each child it served would honor the memory of Patty’s husband, Adam. In his too-short life, the Bronx native never forgot how his own world had been transformed by an educational opportunity at the Dalton School.
Over the next 5 years, the preschool grew to its capacity of 18 children. It was a model for what early childhood education can be: engaging students in an innovative, enriched, nurturing environment, and bridging an achievement gap that already existed at such a young age.
The first class at Adam J. Lewis Preschool
In 2018 the school relocated to an expanded downtown Bridgeport campus, and welcomed its first kindergarten class.
Every year after, Adam J. Lewis Academy added one grade. This fall, it reached its goal. It is now a full pre-k through 8th grade independent school, with nearly 200 students.
It is a shining success story, in a city that has not had enough of them. And — with the help of many Westporters — Patty and Julie’s school continues to change lives, one child at a time, every day of the year.
It’s a testament too that — after one of the most horrific days in American history — something good and wonderful can grow and flourish.
This year’s inaugural 8th grade includes 12 students. Four have been at the school since pre-kindergarten.
Three of this year’s 8th graders, hard at work.
Julie and Patty are excited for all 12. Part of the school year will be dedicated to placing them in appropriate high schools: Hopkins, Greens Farms Academy, Lauralton Hall, Notre Dame, Kolbe Cathedral and the like.
AJLA’s dedicated staff helps prepare students for those entrance exams. A mandatory summer program for 8th graders — part of the camp the school runs for all students — includes essay writing, interviewing skills and financial aid forms
Adam J. Lewis Academy has no theater, gym or athletic field. But they’ve partnered with organizations like Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, SquashBridge and Music Theater of Connecticut, to offer the extracurriculars that round out students’ experiences.
Adam J. Lewis Academy students and staff.
Though their growth plan — pre-K to grade 8 — is complete, Patty and Julie are not resting. Their work is not done.
They’re already looking ahead. Their goal, they say, is to continue changing young children’s lives “for the next 25, 50 and 100 years.”
A capital campaign — “Secure the Future” — has begun. The goal is $25 million.
Adam J. Lewis Academy is completely self-funded. The $5 million annual budget includes no public money.
No family pays the full tuition, which covers only 8% of the total cost. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods — the investment firm where Adam worked on the 89th floor in the South Tower — has been a longtime generous donor.
Adam J. Lewis Academy 7th graders.
This year’s fundraising gala is set for September 19 (6 p.m., The Point at Norwalk Cove). As they do every year, students and teachers will show their walk, and talk about AJLA and their lives.
Those conversations are always insightful and inspiring. This year, the first class of 8th graders will make an extra special impression on guests. (Click here for tickets, and more information.)
On Sunday, Adam J. Lewis was in the national spotlight, thanks to CBS News. Caroline Lewis — one of Adam and Patty’s 4 children, who works there — pitched the story to producers.
She did not tell them her connection, until after they agreed it was a piece worth telling. (Click here to see.)
“The story of 9/11 is not done,” Caroline says in the piece. “A new chapter is being written.”
Adam J. Lewis pre-K students.
No child at the academy named for her father knew him. But his legacy is strong and alive.
Every fall, students participate in the national 9/11 Giving Day. Whether singing “America the Beautiful” at a memorial service, or — this year — packing meals for local shelters — the boys and girls at Adam J. Lewis Academy give back as much as they get.
On the 25th anniversary of a day that changed America forever, Patty Lewis says, “We’ve changed the narrative from horror and tragedy, to a sense of coming together. This is a reminder of who we as a country can be.”
