STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Students struggling to learn due to dyslexia could soon have a school geared toward their academic needs.

The state Board of Regents has approved the proposal to establish the Bridge Preparatory Charter School, dedicated to meeting the needs of students who have dyslexia and other language-based learning difficulties.

"It has been my great honor to be a part of this effort," said Rose Kerr, director of education at Borough Hall, who helped spearhead the project.

Slated to open for the 2019 school year, Bridge Preparatory Charter School will be the first and only public charter school in the state (and one of a handful in the United States) focused specifically on meeting the needs of students with dyslexia and language-based learning difficulties.

"Educators across the country are talking about increasing equity. This is a major step in doing that for so many kids who are left behind by the traditional education system," said Tim Castanza, founder of Bridge Preparatory Charter School.

The school will serve approximately 86 students in Grades 1 and 2 and grow to serve 242 students in Grades 1 to 5 during the final year of the charter term. Classes will serve no more than 12 students.

"This tiny step of 86 students is going to reverberate across this island, across this city and across this state," said Borough President James Oddo, who said he believes this school could set the precedent for how students with dyslexia are taught.

Like other charter schools, Bridge Prep will be tuition-free, and the application process will be open to all Staten Island students. Available seats will be filled by lottery.

Now that the application has been approved, Bridge Preparatory Charter School will begin planning the logistical aspects of the school in the coming weeks.

"We're going to be doing a lot of recruitment of staff, recruitment of teachers, recruitment of facilities and recruitment of funds," said Castanza.