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HARLEM ACADEMY IS AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
(GRADES ONE TO EIGHT) THAT PREPARES
BRIGHT, MOTIVATED STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
AT TOP SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND LIFELONG
LEARNING. THE SCHOOL OFFERS MERIT-BASED
ADMISSIONS, CULTIVATES STRONG FAMILY
PARTNERSHIPS, AND ENSURES ITS ECONOMIC
DIVERSITY BY MEETING ALL DEMONSTRATED
NEED FOR TUITION SUPPORT.
Mission
P R O J E C T F U N D I N G
The Bargmann Family and Rafael Viñoly Architects
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 03 INDEPENDENT 04 TRANSFORMATIONAL 06
PROGRAM: Inspiring Excellence 09 RIGOROUS 10 PRINCIPLED 12 JOYFUL 14
ORGANIZATION: Built for Growth 17 ANALYTICAL 18 EFFICIENT 20 COLLABORATIVE 22
Table of Contents
P H O T O G R A P H Y Tobias Everke and Benchmark Education Company, LLC
D E S I G N BAJ Design
WE OPENED THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WITH A
MISSION TO OVERTURN THE STATUS QUO FOR HIGH-
POTENTIAL CHILDREN IN HARLEM. NO LONGER
WOULD ZIP CODE, LOTTERY, OR WEALTH DEFINE
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY. ABILITY AND DRIVE
ALONE WOULD DETERMINE SUCCESS.
A HARLEM ACADEMY EDUCATION IS RIGOROUS,
PRINCIPLED, AND JOYFUL. IT IS A LOVE FOR LEARNING
IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGE. IT IS POSITIONING
STUDENTS TO PURSUE PASSIONS, BECOME LEADERS,
AND ONE DAY MAKE A MARK ON THE WORLD.
HARLEM ACADEMY IS STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS,
VOLUNTEERS, AND PHILANTHROPISTS BUILDING
A TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE. JOIN US AS WE
CONTINUE TO GROW.
- VINNY DOTOLI
F R O M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L
Why Harlem Academy?
I N D E P E N D E N T / T R A N S F O R M AT I O N A L
Independent schools avoid the bureaucracy and entangled alliances that plague our public education system. At Harlem Academy, we hire teachers, admit students, and develop curriculum based singularly on how each decision will allow bright, motivated children to succeed.
INDEPENDENT
Background.
Children growing up in Harlem face formidable
barriers to academic success, and students with
great potential are often lost amid a community
marked by poverty, failing schools, and crime.
Harlem Academy intentionally planted its roots
in an area with the lowest performing public
schools and set a mark for success alongside
the highest performing private schools in
the country.
Harlem Academy was founded as an inde-
pendent school in 2004. The school added a
grade for eight consecutive years and provides
more than $2,000,000 in annual scholarships
to children from central Harlem, Washington
Heights, and the Bronx. Our students come
from all economic backgrounds and represent
cultures from around the world. What they
share is great academic promise, commitment
to character development, and the support of
families dedicated to their success.
Selective admissions
Affordable for all families
Merit-based staff retention
Curriculum flexibility
Traditional Independent Schools
Public & Charter Schools
C O M PA R AT I V E F E AT U R E S Harlem Academy
04
C O M PA R AT I V E P E R F O R M A N C E
In local public and charter schools, only a small percentage of students score above proficient on the New York State Assessment. In contrast, more than 60% of Harlem Academy students score in the top
quartile nationwide on annual ERB testing. (Source: NYC DOE)
Harlem Academy
Local Charter Schools
Local Public Schools
English Math
64% 63% 20% 11%5% 3%
Distinctive Features.
• Rigorous academic curriculum. Harlem
Academy models elements of the most
selective and traditional private schools
while incorporating innovative
programming as needed.
• Extended school day. Harlem Academy
is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
providing ample time for a challenging
program, an advisory period, athletics,
arts, and after-school tutoring.
• Family partnership. Each family signs
an enrollment contract pledging to make
tuition payments, support their child’s
education, and participate actively in the
life of the school.
• Talented, dedicated staff. Every teacher
serves as an educator and mentor
to students, and small classes ensure
opportunities for close collaboration
and individual support.
• Selective admissions. Harlem Academy
accepts only about 20% of applicants.
The decision to accept is based on their
potential for growth in an advanced
curriculum, their willingness to contribute
to the community, and families’ commitment
to partnership.
• Respected professional endorsements.
Harlem Academy is a member of Schools
That Can, New York State Association
of Independent Schools, and National
Association of Independent Schools.
E D U C AT O R S A N D M E N T O R S .
Teachers know each student’s strengths and provide individualized instruction
to ensure every child is challenged.
Harlem Academy prepares its students to overturn the status quo by ensuring they remain in the upper echelons of academic performance through the later elementary and middle school years, when disadvantaged students traditionally experience a drop in performance. Students emerge from Harlem Academy prepared to succeed at top secondary schools and excel in any path they choose.
TRANSFORMATIONAL
Harlem Academy’s students are primed with a love and discipline that teaches them both humility and that the world just
might be their world, if they will choose to be brave.
- R A B B I H A R R Y L E V I N
Overcoming the Odds.
High-achieving students from low-income
families drop out of high school or do not
graduate on time at twice the rate of wealthier
peers, and they are 23% less likely to graduate
from college (Jack Kent Cooke Foundation).
Meanwhile, a mere 9% of freshmen in Tier 1
colleges are from the lower half of the income
distribution (McKinsey & Company).
Harlem Academy students excel, with 94%
scoring above the national median in English
and 90% scoring above the national median
in math on the ERB CTP4. In both subjects,
Harlem Academy had 2.5 times more students
in the top quartile than schools nationwide.
06
S T U D E N T I M P R O V E M E N T
During their first year at the school, Harlem Academy students average an 18-percentile
point gain on nationally standardized tests.
Entrance Score (national percentile)
Year One Score (national percentile)
English Math
86% 88%
O U T D O O R A D V E N T U R E .
Students visit Central Park for a daily recess and often return for athletics, science,
or journal writing.
Breaking Economic Barriers.
We are guided by the fundamental belief that
every qualified student should be able to access
an exceptional education regardless of his or
her economic background. Harlem Academy
joins the ranks of Harvard, Princeton, and MIT
as one of the few educational institutions that
admits students based on merit and then
promises to meet each family’s full financial
need. All attending families must make a tuition
contribution, but that contribution is set on a
sliding scale based on income.
Broadening Horizons.
Harlem Academy students quickly learn that
the environment in which you are born need
not limit your achievements. After a middle
school unit on the separation of powers in the
U.S. government, a grade-five student said,
“I want to become a Supreme Court justice so
I can be a special part of history.” He was not
alone in his bold plans; among his peers sit
several aspiring legislators alongside doctors,
entrepreneurs, and yes, even a baseball player.
When students travel each year to world-
renowned Rensselaer University, they design
innovative solutions to significant problems
drawing from lessons in architecture, engineer-
ing, chemistry, and physics. After three days
of collaboration, they present their concepts
to professors, parents, peers, and Rensselaer
President Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Students
also visit boarding and day schools throughout
the year and are exposed to mentors ranging
from high school students to Academy
Award-winning artists.
HARLEM ACADEMY CHALLENGES BRIGHT,
MOTIVATED CHILDREN TO REALIZE THEIR
FULL POTENTIAL. AT THIS SCHOOL, STRIVING
FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS NOT A
MEANS FOR STANDING OUT BUT A WAY TO
FIT IN. OUR TEACHERS COME FROM MANY
OF THE NATION’S TOP UNIVERSITIES AND
CULTIVATE INQUIRY, INNOVATION, DISCIPLINE,
AND A LOVE OF LEARNING. OUR SCHOOL
CULTURE EMPHASIZES HARD WORK AND
EACH INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY
TO CONTRIBUTE TO SCHOOL, FAMILY,
AND COMMUNITY.
P R O G R A M
Inspiring Excellence
R I G O R O U S / P R I N C I P L E D / J OY F U L
Harlem Academy admits high-potential children and supports them in cultivating their talents. Our students emerge as avid readers, strong writers, and critical thinkers. We measure our success and our students’ success with the same metric: the extent to which each child is meeting his or her personal potential within an advanced academic environment.
RIGOROUS
The school provides an essential opportunity for children from underserved backgrounds. It is important to see excellence valued at
Harlem Academy the way we value it throughout our company.
- E R I C E C K H O L D T, E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , C R E D I T S U I S S E A M E R I C A S F O U N D AT I O N
S T U D E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
Harlem Academy students achieve high national rankings on annual standardized testing in
English and math.
Curriculum Overview.
Harlem Academy’s curriculum builds logically
from fundamental skills to higher-order con-
ceptual thinking and problem solving. We value
time on task and ensure that students receive
five hours of daily instruction in core academic
areas. Trimesters culminate with final projects,
including an English anthology, science fair,
and research symposium.
10
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Selections from Naming the World by Nancy Atwell
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
G R A D E E I G H T R E A D I N G L I S T
English Math
Top 25% Top 10% Top 5%
64% 24%63% 27%33%
Humanities and Social Sciences.
The school is a community of readers and
writers. In English classes, students explore
contemporary and classic novels, hone their
writing across genres, and develop expansive
vocabularies. The history program progresses
in tandem with the English curriculum and
prepares students to use evidence to construct
arguments, select primary and secondary
sources, and analyze divergent opinions.
Harlem Academy’s reason and rhetoric course
challenges students to grapple with complex
issues, while providing instruction in logic
and debate. In his book Outliers, Malcolm
Gladwell discusses 10,000 hours of practice as
a benchmark for expertise. Harlem Academy
students advance toward that mark in core
skills of reading, writing, and critical thinking.
Math and Science.
Our math and science classes aim to ensure
our students are competitive in the global
economy. Harlem Academy was one of the
first schools in New York to introduce the
math curriculum from Singapore, which leads
the world in math achievement. The program
covers fewer topics each year to allow time
for content mastery and problem solving.
Our science program sparks students’
intellectual curiosity by demonstrating that
science is not an abstract set of concepts
to memorize, but an active process of
observation, inquiry, and research.
A T Y P I C A L S C E N E .
Harlem Academy classes often begin with just a pencil, paper, and a great question.
The school is driven by the Aristotelian ethic, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Every Harlem Academy student learns and commits to the school creed. Starting with “I am bold and creative” and ending with “I don’t give up,” the creed defines our community pillars: integrity, initiative, compassion, and determination.
PRINCIPLED
School Culture.
A Bach concerto is playing. Sixty students
in grades one through four silently enter the
common room. Each class sits together on
the floor, with teachers, students, and staff
members forming a circle. A teacher offers a
greeting and recites the School Thanksgiving,
each line echoed by the group. A community
meeting has begun. Held weekly, it is among
Harlem Academy’s most cherished traditions.
The meeting continues with commendations.
Teachers recount moments in which students
exhibited exemplary behavior. Then a weekly
message examines an aspect of the school
creed, emphasizing the habits most critical
to students’ success. To close the meeting,
community members shake hands, recite the
creed, and share a quiet moment before a
silent recessional.
Personal Growth.
Students participate in team-building activities
to develop communication and decision-
making skills during an advisory period.
They consider challenging scenarios from their
lives in or out of school and evaluate the merits
and drawbacks of various solutions. Students
write weekly reflections and conclude each
trimester with self-assessment and goal setting.
Shared Responsibility.
Harlem Academy expects a contribution from
each student. Everyone cleans classrooms for
daily inspection, greets visitors, and organizes
common areas. Middle school students also
lead weekly activities as mentors for younger
students. The ideals of service extend beyond
our school walls with each class completing at
least one annual service project in support of a
community in need.
I’ve noticed a real change in my daughter over the past year; she’s more self-aware, more responsible, and more involved.
- G R A D E - S I X PA R E N T
12
Harlem Academy inspires excellence with a rigorous curriculum wrapped in a joyful and ethical school culture. We foster confidence by setting up real challenges for all our students, nurturing their talents, and supporting them to meet their goals. We work with focus and determination but take time to celebrate each other’s achievements and share in life’s special moments.
JOYFUL
Exploring the World.
From the day students enter Harlem Academy,
they are conducting experiments, writing
memoirs, tending community gardens, and
debating current events. Grade-six students
use the Rutherford Observatory at Columbia
University during an astronomy unit; grade-
seven students study microscopy and electro-
phoresis with scientists from the Mount Sinai
School of Medicine. Professors, entrepreneurs,
doctors, and other inspiring role models
regularly visit Harlem Academy classrooms to
complement our faculty’s expertise and enliven
course material. Students visit New York City’s
rich cultural and academic resources, including
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American
Museum of Natural History, New York Hall of
Science, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
There is a joyful atmosphere at Harlem Academy, and the students are actively engaged in the process of learning. There are signs of creativity all
over the small but wonderfully organized space.
- J A N E O ’ C O N N E L L , P R E S I D E N T , A LT M A N F O U N D AT I O N
14
Students develop creative skills in an informal, exploratory setting alongside faculty mentors.
Lego Robotics
Chess
Journalism
Poetry
Music Production
Improv
Percussion
Sci-fi
Quilting
Art
A Capella
Fantasy Sports
H A R L E M A C A D E M Y C L U B S
Unleashing Creativity.
When you walk through the halls of Harlem
Academy, you may hear students reciting
poetry, feel the rhythm of African drums,
happen upon an improvisational theater
performance, or see our latest Lego robot
as it rolls past. If you peek into a classroom,
a team of middle school students may be
leading an arts activity for their ‘buddies’ in
lower grades. Our clubs program and flex
block offer dedicated time for these activities,
but teachers weave creative programming
into every class. Students in grade one write
and present their own fables, grade-two
students exhibit their math skills by opening
and operating a store, and middle school
students perform their own interpretations
of Shakespeare to demonstrate their growth
as learners.
Living in Balance.
We strike a balance between intellectual and
physical activity, structured and unstructured
time, and hard work and play. Students go
outside to nearby Central Park for both a
recess and an athletics period and receive
nutritious meals and snacks each day. All
students are welcome to participate in the
school’s Saturday Club, which offers a chance
to build friendships outside of the academic
setting. On a four-day trip each year, middle
school students travel from the city to
a wilderness setting where they work together
to overcome individual and group challenges.
L A S T I N G F R I E N D S H I P S .
In an extended day, students have time to develop strong bonds and team up for both work and play.
HARLEM ACADEMY’S AMBITIOUS PLANS
FOR ITS STUDENTS ARE MIRRORED IN
ITS PLANS AS AN ORGANIZATION. THE
SCHOOL IS POSITIONING ITSELF FOR THE
ACQUISITION OF A PERMANENT CAMPUS
AND THE CREATION OF AN ENDOWMENT
TO GUARANTEE FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FOR ITS STUDENTS IN PERPETUITY.
WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP REPLICABLE
MODEL PROGRAMS SO STUDENTS
EVERYWHERE CAN BENEFIT FROM OUR
ONGOING LEARNING AND INNOVATION.
O R G A N I Z AT I O N
Built for Growth
A N A LY T I C A L / E F F I C I E N T / C O L L A B O R AT I V E
Evolution is a core value at Harlem Academy. As a team, we are mission focused, reflective, evidence-driven, and agile. These strategies help the school amplify its strengths, while eliminating ineffective practices.
ANALYTICAL
Mission Focused.
The mission serves as a compass, a constant
guide for making decisions and measuring
success. It is posted in every office and
classroom throughout the school and unites
our families, volunteers, and supporters
around a common goal.
Reflective.
Harlem Academy acknowledges that every
community member is working toward – but
never fully achieving – the ideals put forth in
the school creed. Self-reflection starts with
grade-one students and extends to the
head of school. Each student writes regular
reflections describing the degree to which
his or her actions live up to the creed. Every
administrator creates a list of measurable
goals in a productivity guide that is shared
monthly across departments to provide
opportunities for collaboration and feedback.
The head of school writes an annual
assessment of accomplishments and areas
for improvement for the board of trustees,
administration, and teaching team.
The data from Harlem Academy is a testament to the high academic standard the school imposes and the ability of its students to attain that standard; this is a high-achieving school with a well-developed
educational curriculum, a curriculum that the school is continually trying to improve.
- J AY G O T T L I E B , P R O F E S S O R O F E D U C AT I O N , N E W YO R K U N I V E R S I T Y
18
• Gather feedback from
families & staff
• Record daily merits
& demerits
• Recognize need for
common expectations
& language for character
development
• Explore best practices
• Conduct staff focus groups
• Design & test alternative
solutions
• Introduce school creed
• Integrate revised
advisory program
• Initiate journaling and
self-evaluation
Collect Data Analyze Build Implement
H O W D O W E I M P R O V E O N O U R C H A R A C T E R D E V E L O P M E N T W O R K ?
Evidence-driven.
Evaluation and analysis guide every strategic
decision. On the academic side, individual
and class-wide performance in each subject is
measured against targets. More than 60%
of Harlem Academy students score in the top
national quartile in English and math, a clear
demonstration of the school’s commitment
to effective instruction, rigorous evaluation,
and continued program development. From
an organizational perspective, the school tracks
quantifiable metrics in every department,
measuring performance in fundraising,
admissions, finance, and communications.
Agile.
Amid its rigid focus on mission, Harlem
Academy takes a flexible approach to
programming. The school is not tied to any
given activity; it is set only on preparing
underserved, high-potential children for
success at top secondary schools. Therefore,
when the team determines that a modification
should be made, no bureaucratic or institutional
barriers stand in the way. To the contrary,
resources and support are offered to facilitate
innovation and change.
S C I E N T I F I C I N Q U I R Y.
Weekly labs spark students’ curiosity and understanding of
a rigorous research process.
Efficient is defined as “Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.” Harlem Academy offers a school day that is 36% longer than average public and charter schools, an outstanding academic program, small classes, and an exceptional team – all at 60% of the cost of the average New York City independent school.
EFFICIENT
I can make a gift to my alma mater, but that would only be a drop in a large endowment bucket. At Harlem Academy, I know my gift is going to make a difference in the life of a child.
- M A R K H . J O H N S T O N , T R U S T E E , H A R L E M A C A D E M Y
C O M PA R AT I V E S P E N D I N G P E R S T U D E N T
The cost per student at Harlem Academy is only 60% of the per-student spending at the average New York City independent school and on par with New York City
public schools. (Source: NYC DOE, NAIS)
H A R L E M A C A D E M Y E X P E N S E S
Harlem Academy prioritizes the efficient use of contributions to best deliver its mission, with 83%
of spending going directly to the program. The school meets all 20 of the charity accountability standards
put forward by the Better Business Bureau.
7%
10%
83%
Program
Management
Fundraising
NYC Independent Schools
Harlem Academy
NYC Public Schools
20
$ 3
0,3
49
$ 1
8,2
93
$ 1
7,9
29
A Committed Team.
Each member of the Harlem Academy team
is empowered to act as an entrepreneur
within the school and is personally invested
in realizing the mission to the highest standard.
The school maintains a rigorous recruitment
process and selects individuals with demo-
nstrated talent and motivation. Harlem
Academy has an intentionally flat structure
and streamlined administration, and staff
members collaborate to effectively deliver
programming. All administrators have some
role in the students’ day, and teachers take
broad responsibility for academic and
supplemental programming.
Engaged Volunteers and Philanthropists.
Harlem Academy leverages the talents of
more than 280 volunteers, who work a
remarkable 9,000 hours every year and play a
vital role in making each dollar count. A group
of students from top schools, including The
Brearley School, Collegiate School, Fieldston
School, Regis High School, and The Spence
School, volunteer as after-school tutors.
Attending families organize the school library,
help with mailings, participate in the
admissions process, and support fundraising
events. Donors amplify their impact by
volunteering as tutors, organizing special
events, and serving as ambassadors.
I N D E P E N D E N T R E A D I N G .
Early mornings are the first of many quiet reading times
throughout the day.
So how do we do it?
A day rarely passes without a newspaper story describing the staggering obstacles to improving the state of education in America. While some people feel disempowered in the face of such a daunting challenge, Harlem Academy gives individuals from vastly different backgrounds an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. The school harnesses the knowledge and energy of families, volunteers, donors, local organizations, and kindred schools to continuously improve its programming.
COLLABORATIVE
As a volunteer with the second grade writing project, I get to spend time with some of the brightest and most imaginative students I’ve ever met.
M I C H A E L G L E N N O N , F O R M E R S E N I O R E D I T O R , N E W S W E E K A N D B L O O M B E R G N E W S
Working Together.
Harlem Academy’s team does not have a
monopoly on wisdom; the school emphasizes
collaboration because diverse perspectives
result in better outcomes. At Harlem Academy,
examples of getting smarter by working together
are everywhere. Our teachers visit each other’s
classrooms to model effective instructional
techniques, educational partners from other
schools share their most successful programs,
students embark on collaborative projects with
increasing independence, and volunteers make
substantive contributions alongside full-time
staff members. The people, parks, and cultural
landmarks of our neighborhood keep the
next generation connected to the rich traditions
of Harlem.
S O U R C E S O F F U N D I N G
Harlem Academy would not be where it is without enduring partnerships with its supporters.
Private Donations
Tuition
Government Support
85%
14%
1%
22
Partnering with Families.
Harlem Academy views families as critical
partners, and parents take an active leadership
role through participation in four essential
steering committees: admissions, hiring, family
outreach, and fundraising. Though participation
is optional, a majority of families take a role.
Thanks to this strong collaboration, the school’s
attendance rate is 95%, which represents
50% fewer absences than Manhattan public
and charter schools. Ultimately, when a child
sees a grandparent help with a mailing, an
aunt chaperone a field trip, or dad speak
at a community meeting, it reinforces the
importance of education with a power that
words may never accomplish.
University Connections.
Harlem Academy collaborates with universities
to transform big ideas into practical solutions.
The school’s founding team worked in
close partnership with Columbia University’s
Institute for Urban and Minority Education
to develop the initial enrollment criteria and
curriculum. Columbia graduate students from
the Klingenstein Center for Independent
School Leadership join our team every year to
conduct strategic research. Harlem Academy
also harnesses the passion and talents of
interns from Dartmouth University, who work
on trimester-long projects at the school.
Through a partnership with Rensselaer
University, Harlem Academy students are
introduced to great challenges facing humanity
and explore the cutting-edge science that
may help to overcome them.
FA M I LY PA R T N E R S H I P.
Parents are a child’s first teacher; our team works closely
with each student’s family to ensure success.
I was impressed by what I had read and heard, but visiting took my commitment to a new level. I challenge anyone who is willing to take an
hour to visit the school not to be moved by the experience.- M I K E L E V I N E , C O - H E A D , C A A S P O R T S
Come Visit
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El Museo del Barrio
Museum of African Art Subway
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1330 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10026
Harlem Academy 1330 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10026
P 212.348.2600 F 212.348.3500 [email protected]
WWW.HARLEMACADEMY.ORG