Case Study: Ascend Public Charter Schools achieves centralized, future-proof network management with Cisco Meraki

Streamlined, easily configured network solutions for school with multiple buildings

Ascend Public Charter Schools, a rapidly growing Charter Management Organization in Brooklyn, struggled with four separately managed, aging networks across multiple buildings, poor wireless coverage, slow VPNs, and no planned IT budget—forcing IT staff to manage upgrades and fixes on-site. After securing E-rate funding, Emeka Ibekweh and his five-person team evaluated and chose Cisco Meraki access points (MR42/MR34), switches (MS420/MS320) and MX security appliances to modernize and simplify their network.

Cisco Meraki deployed a centrally managed solution—preconfigured Meraki APs (257 deployed across eight buildings, one per classroom), MS420 core and MS320 access switches, and MX400 appliances—managed from the Meraki dashboard. The rollout consolidated four networks into one, enabled remote configuration and troubleshooting (remote cable tests, loop detection), separated staff and guest traffic with VLANs and MX security, improved wireless coverage and visibility into traffic/devices, and significantly reduced on-site management while future-proofing the schools.

Ascend Public Charter Schools

Emeka Ibekweh

Managing Director of Technology