Seth Andrew is an American entrepreneur best known for founding Democracy Prep Public Schools, a national network of charter schools based in Harlem, and Democracy Builders, a social sector incubator that launched Washington Leadership Academy, the Arena Summit, and Degrees of Freedom.
Education and Career
Andrew attended the Bronx High School of Science, earned his A.B. from Brown University, and his Ed.M from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2005, Andrew founded Democracy Prep Public Schools in Harlem, New York. The network has grown to serve more than 6,500 students in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Nevada, and Texas. Democracy Prep has been the subject of significant academic research due to its emphasis on civic engagement. From 2014 to 2016, Andrew served as senior advisor and superintendent-in-residence at the U.S. Department of Education and was a senior advisor in the Office of Educational Technology at the White House under the Presidency of Barack Obama. In 2020, under Andrew’s leadership, Democracy Builders and Marlboro College announced that Democracy Builders would acquire the Marlboro College campus in order to build a low-residency, low-cost college program for low-income students. The Degrees of Freedom program would last four years, from eleventh grade to the second year of college, and would result in an associate degree. The program is slated to be largely online, with students only being on campus two weeks out of each trimester.
Controversy
In June 2020, Andrew was the subject of allegations of racism by "Black N Brown at DP", an anonymous group of Democracy Prep students, alumni, and present/former staff of color. The group claims that both Andrew himself and the schools he headed were ingrained with a pattern of racism, bullying, and manipulative behavior towards people of color. While the Marlboro Alumni Council condemned this, and called for the sale of the college to be cancelled, the Board of Trustees plan to proceed with the sale. The Marlboro Selectboard passed a motion calling on the Marlboro College Board of Trustees to investigate allegations of racism and abuse at Democracy Prep Charter Schools, specifically into the complaints about Andrew. In July 2020, Andrew and members of Degrees of Freedom claimed that the "Black N Brown at DP" collective was creating false narratives and stories in order to deter the purchase of Marlboro College. The members of Degrees of Freedom spoke with reporters stating that they intend to listen to these voices and open a conversation about how to move forward. During a July 20th, Town of Marlboro Select Board public meeting regarding the sale of Marlboro College to Andrew and Democracy Builders, the identity of a member of "Black N Brown at DP" who testified anonymously was revealed by two Democracy Prep supporters without her consent.
Personal Life
Andrew is married to CBS News producer and correspondent Lana Zak. The couple have three children.
