Kaleem Caire officially establishes One City Schools (OCS) on July 30, 2014; the community provides $8,300 in funding for the school in the first week, with an additional $5,000 donation from TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Foundation).

The Cremer Foundation provides a $25,000 matching start-up grant.

OCS hosts official kickoff event in tandem with TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Foundation) on March 7, 2015. More than 400 guests attend, and TruStage provides an additional $20,000 gift, followed by $100,000 from Attic Angels Association.

Forward Community Investments (FCI) purchases the South Madison Day Care Facility for One City.

OCS recruits founding donors; raises more than $1.5 million to renovate the Day Care facility and provide tuition scholarships and operational funding. OCS opens One City Preschool in a temporary location on September 8, 2015, with six children and three staff.

OCS moves to newly renovated preschool facility in south Madison in June.

OCS opens first preschool on September 8, 2015.

Enrollment grows quickly, reaching 56 children ages 1–4.

OCS earns accreditation with the City of Madison Child Care Division, along with a 5-Star Rating by the State of Wisconsin. Of the OCS 5-year-olds who enter kindergarten in the fall, 89% test ready for 5k using the Teaching Strategies GOLD screener.

Edgewood College begins teaching a class and placing students teachers at One City.

UW-Madison begins placing nursing students at One City; OCS early childhood department begins teaching a class on early math development to early childhood educators on-site at One City Preschool.

Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System) approves the opening of public charter One City Senior Preschool in Madison.

Public Charter School opens on September 5, 2018, serving 4k and 5k from Madison and Dane County.

Of the 5-year-olds who enter kindergarten in the fall, 94% test ready for 5k using the Teaching Strategies GOLD screener.

The University of Wisconsin approves OCS proposal to open an elementary public charter school that eventually enrolls children in grades 4K to 6.

Senior Preschool becomes One City Elementary School after adding first grade in September 2019.

Engagement of local and state policymakers, program partners and philanthropists builds support for our “demonstration” public (charter) schools.

Capital campaign kicks off in an effort to build a 21st century K–12 school campus in South Madison.

Longitudinal evaluation on OCS commences as part of a 20-year study of impact in 3 areas: children, families and educators in OCS schools; in the fields of early childhood and K-12 education in Madison, statewide and nationally; and on public policy in Wisconsin.

Elementary grades move to Pleasant T. Rowland Leadership campus in August 2021.

OCS adds two grades in fall 2021 (grades 3 and 4), enrolling 198 children K–4 in this location and another 90 children ages 1–4 (4k) in preschool facility on Fisher Street.

OCS launches One City Schools Foundation to raise and manage philanthropic funding, supporting One City’s budget gap and school renovation efforts.

Universities of Wisconsin approves One City Preparatory Academy (OCPA) to serve children in grades 6-12. Students can earn up to 60 credits toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or coursework towards a professional career.

One City wins legislation that makes high-quality preschool more accessible to working families, and provides an unprecedented boost in public funding for traditional public and charter school students (up to $2k per student).

One City and its District staff win national and state recognition: Devalyn Rogers, Master Teacher.

OCS Parent Council ramps up efforts to increase family engagement.

Summit Credit Union branch opens inside One City Schools.

OCS launches One City Advocates, a 501(c)4 advocacy organization.