A charter school in Morrisania says the pandemic has impacted its enrollment numbers drastically. 

Cleveland Pearson, the principal at Harriet Tubman Charter School, says that enrollment is the lowest it's been in 20 years, with a 20% drop in enrollment. 

School administrators believe the main cause of the decrease is the dwindling effect of the pandemic and its impact on local families.

“When we were remote, we had families that we were instructing, and they never returned,” said Pearson.

Administrators agree the full return of in-person learning brought a sense of normalcy but there is a common misconception that there is no room for new students in charter schools.  

“A lot of people think there is no space or room in charter schools. We do have space and room and we accept everyone,”  said Pearson.

The charter school has two locations in the Bronx. A junior academy for older students from grades fifth through eighth on Franklin Avenue and an elementary campus on Third Avenue for younger students.

The charter school will be holding an enrollment lottery next month for local families. It hopes to celebrate its 20 anniversary with a number of new students.