Leaders Committed to
Access, Equity, and Excellence

Dr. Arielle Peterson is the Founder and Executive Director of Primary Hall Preparatory Charter School. Dr. Peterson imagined opening her own school since she was a child and was excited to make that dream a reality in Buffalo, New York: “I wanted to design a school that would nurture and challenge elementary students to be college prepared. There is no better form of investing in our nation's collective well-being than an efficient educational space for children.”

Dr. Peterson launched her career with Newark Public Schools serving in a myriad of roles ranging from early childhood to middle school. Additionally, Dr. Peterson worked for the Office of Special Education, providing professional development and consulting teachers on the development and execution of IEPs in Early Childhood. She firmly believes that “educators have the unique privilege of bridging the gap from students' aspirations and potential to opportunity and achievement,” and she is determined to do just that for the students of Buffalo.

Dr. Peterson holds a BA in Psychology from Spelman College, and an MA in Education Administration from Caldwell University and a Doctorate from Fairleigh Dickinson University.