Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy awarded $100,000 in national Yass Prize competition

Milwaukee (December 5, 2025) – Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy (HFCA), a tuition-free, non-profit K4-12 charter school in Milwaukee, is proud to announce it has been awarded $100,000 as a semifinalist in the 2025 Yass Prize competition. HFCA is one of only 23 schools across the country and the only school in Wisconsin to be recognized as a contender for this year’s award, which recognizes groundbreaking innovation in education.

Referred to as the “Pulitzer for Education Innovation,” the Yass Prize honors organizations that demonstrate Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education. The committee awards $1 million to the overall winner and provides additional awards to other contenders.

“We’re thrilled to bring home such a significant award from the Yass Prize competition, which places our school on the national stage and highlights the innovative, student-centered work happening right here in our community,” said CEO Rodney Lynk Jr. “As the only school in Wisconsin to receive this distinction this year, it stands as a testament to the excellence of our students, staff, and leadership. The funding will allow us to strengthen both the infrastructure and intellectual growth of our school and help build a better tomorrow for Milwaukee youth.”

Funding will support key initiatives, including building a new elementary school playground and launching AI literacy and differentiated instruction programs to strengthen individualized learning and improve literacy across all grade levels.

About The Yass Prize
The $1 million Yass Prize, powered by the Center for Education Reform in partnership with Forbes, has, since its inception, celebrated and supported innovative education organizations dedicated to the STOP principles: Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless. Through the Yass Prize, more than 200 organizations across the country have received over $50 million in funding and support. More information can be found at yasprize.org

About Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy (HFCA)
HFCA serves students in grades K4–12, preparing them for college and beyond through rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, and a community-centered approach. The academy fosters an environment where students are supported to achieve their full potential while developing leadership, creativity, and resilience.
The school, originally known as Milwaukee Collegiate Academy, was founded in 2004 by eight notable pastors and renowned education leader and student advocate Dr. Howard Fuller. The school was renamed to honor Dr. Fuller in 2019. More information can be found at hfca.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.