SHOW NOTES
GUEST INFO
Episode Guest:
Reyes Claudio, Chief Operations and Community Relations Officer at Brilla Public Schools
Connect with Reyes on LinkedIn
Website:
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of The Charter School Insider, we’re joined by Reyes Claudio, the dynamic Chief Operations and Community Relations Officer at Brilla Public Schools. Reyes takes us deep into what it really means to serve a community — not just in theory, but in day-to-day practice.
She shares Brilla’s powerful philosophy that community engagement is not a tactic but a foundational value — and how that authenticity naturally drives enrollment. From transforming main offices into neighborhood resource hubs to throwing epic Bronx-style block parties, Brilla is rewriting the rules of school marketing through genuine connection. If you’re looking for strategies that don’t just boost numbers but build legacy, this is an episode you can’t miss.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
RESOURCES
SchoolMint – Application/enrollment system that transformed Brilla's process
Mariposa Consulting Group – Strategic enrollment support
Underdog Strategies – Local on-the-ground outreach partner
Seton Education Partners - Other collaborations
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Reyes Claudio and BRILA Schools
02:15 The Role of Schools in Community Engagement
08:43 Navigating Community Engagement Post-COVID
16:16 Rebuilding Community Trust and Culture
18:15 Empowering Families as Educators
21:09 Community Engagement as a Pillar of Enrollment Strategy
26:40 Building Community Connections
30:24 Celebrating Community Through Events
34:21 Lessons Learned in Community Engagement
36:08 Resources for Effective Community Engagement
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Reyes Claudio serves as the Chief Operations and Community Relations Officer for the Brilla Schools Network. A proud Bronx native, Reyes grew up in the Soundview neighborhood and is a product of strong Catholic schooling—an experience that deeply shaped her commitment to faith, family, and educational excellence.
Reyes began her journey with Brilla as an Operations Associate at its very first school and holds the distinct honor of being the network’s first-ever staff member who was also a Brilla parent. Her children attended Brilla College Prep for six years, giving her a unique and personal perspective on the family experience at Brilla.
Today, Reyes leads all network operations—including facilities management, enrollment, and community engagement—ensuring Brilla’s campuses run efficiently, equitably, and in service of the children and families they are meant to uplift. She is especially passionate about expanding access to high-quality education and building lasting, trust-based relationships between schools, families, and the broader Bronx community.
Reyes lives in the northern Bronx, is happily married, and is the proud mother of six incredible children.
ABOUT OUR HOST
Daniel Casselli is a life-long learner whose passion for education has driven his professional endeavors. He is a former classroom teacher and youth ministry director whose entrepreneurial spirit landed him in the world of education technology. At EVERFI Inc., Daniel helped run the business development efforts for EVERFI’s Financial Education Program and the company was eventually sold to Blackbaud for $750M in 2021. Shortly before EVERFI’s acquisition, Daniel joined Class Technologies as one of the earliest sales hires and went on to lead K12 Enterprise Sales and helped the company land its first 100+ K12 customers across public, charter, and private schools. Daniel brings his unique experiences to BuyQ where he is focused on growth, operational excellence, business strategy, and client satisfaction. He is a graduate of Grove City College where he studied Religion and History.
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