Justin Smith is the Chief Schools Officer and Founding Principal of Forte Preparatory Academy Charter Schools in Queens, New York, where he leads academic strategy, instructional systems, and leadership development across the organization. His work centers on building scalable, high-quality instructional models and developing school leaders capable of sustaining strong outcomes over time. Forte Prep students consistently outperform surrounding districts, New York City, and New York State in Math and ELA.

Justin’s career spans teaching, coaching, school leadership, and network-level roles within the charter sector, including foundational work at Democracy Prep Public Schools, where he helped design secondary literacy programs and supported early-stage school growth. Across roles, he has focused on adult learning, instructional coherence, and translating vision into durable systems. He has founded four schools either as a teacher, instructional leader, or network leader.

Justin earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Carleton College and his master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, where he is currently completing a Doctorate in Urban Education Leadership examining leadership preparation in charter school organizations. He is a Cambiar Catalyst Fellow, National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, and Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching recipient.