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.

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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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1330 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10026

Harlem Academy 1330 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10026

P 212.348.2600 F 212.348.3500 info@harlemacademy.org

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