When Gotham Professional Arts Academy Resource Coordinator Allison Brown learned that the nonprofit Rebuilding Together NYC organizes corporate volunteer days to help renovate low-income homes and schools throughout the city, she knew the perfect recipient: her own high school.

Brown discussed different ideas about how to fix up the school with staff and students from the UFT community learning school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. “We had a long wish list, what changes we wanted made and why we wanted them,” said Brown.

She sent along photos to illustrate their needs. Brown was thrilled to learn the school’s application was accepted, and on June 17, 10 staffers from the school and 20 students were joined by 80 volunteers from Forest City Ratner, a large real estate management and development company.

They started the day with group exercises led by physical education teacher Jamal Stevenson. Then everyone pitched in for a full six hours of labor. They created a garden on the side of the building, landscaped in front and painted bathrooms, hallways and school rooms, using a range of hues including purple, black and silver — the school’s signature colors. There is now a visual division between Gotham and the elementary school that shares the same building.

The prospect of transforming her school intrigued Shynaisha Ford, a junior at the school and one of the volunteers. “I was one of the first to start work and the last to go,” Shynaisha said. She had experience painting houses under her father’s watchful eye but, this time, she said, “I got to put in my own creative twist.” Shynaisha painted inspiring quotes on the walls of the girls’ bathroom including “Know yourself, know your worth,” “Keep your head up” and “Girls rule.”

Forest City Ratner employees will be rejoining the school community for another day in July to complete the work.