2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT
At Harlem Academy 85% of our operating costs come from contributions. The educational experience we offer our students would not be possible without your donations. Thank you.
A PATH TO TO P UN I V E R S I T I ES
Only 9% of students at tier-1 universities come from the bottom 50% of the income distribution.
80%
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ATTENDING
70%
Harlem Academy Tier-1 Universities
60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
$0 - $25K
$25K - $50K
$50K - $90K
HOUSEHOLD INCOME QUARTILE
$90K +
WHAT ALU M N I SAY
Harlem Academy prepared me for boarding school. They taught me to be independent, creative, and surrounded me with teachers who were a real source of support. Thank you, Harlem Academy. BRIANNA TURNER-DOUGLAS ‘14, PEDDIE ‘18
WHO W E S E RV E
$46,000
97%
Three-quarters of our students had household incomes below the living wage threshold and half qualified for free and reduced-price lunch.
The median income for our families was less than $46,000.
97% of our students needed significant financial aid to attend.
$2.6 million
$23,000+
Last year, Harlem Academy provided more than $2.6 million in scholarships.
The median scholarship was more than $23,000 – 92% of the $25,000 tuition.
More than half of our students lived in single-parent homes, and many will be the first in their families to go to college.
WHAT PARE N TS SAY
Harlem Academy encourages students to examine their character, explore their talents, take risks, set goals, and live out the school pillars as a member of the school, the community, and this world. GRADE 8 PARENT
PRO G RA M
COST PER STUDENT
$36,615
$24,395 $21,730
NYC Independent Day Schools
Harlem Academy
NYC Public Schools
We offer an extended day that is 36% longer than average public and charter schools, but our cost per student is just 66% of the average NYC independent school and only slightly more than public and charter schools.
PRO G RA M H I G H L I G H TS
Lower School Reading Our grade-four reading curriculum challenges students to use higher-order thinking skills to analyze literature, research topics, and learn analogy-based vocabulary. Students are able to determine when to apply particular strategies and gain a sense of ownership for their reading comprehension. As part of the Schools That Can National Forum, 20 visiting school leaders had the opportunity to see this in action. They observed a literary discussion of the book “Esperanza Rising,” touching on themes of class, family, and love. Math and Reading Lab Small group work allowed faculty to further target instruction for students in need of enrichment or remediation. In math, we conducted the secondyear pilot of a weekly period focused on advanced problem solving for top math students and additional instruction in core topics for students in need of extra help. In reading, we piloted advanced reading groups as well as a group for students in need of additional practice.
PROG RA M H I G H L I G H TS
Character Development In the last year we continued to strengthen our character education program for all grades. We piloted a program called High School Week that challenged grade-eight students with the responsibilities and workload of secondary school. Prompted by research showing that even worrying about being stereotyped can have a measurable impact on student performance, we introduced an advisory unit about mitigating stereotype threat to help students navigate the assumptions others might make about them. Field Guides Teachers Sean Robertson and Allison Duarte continued to hone the curriculum they have developed for history and science, respectively. The classes center around trimester-long field guides, with depth of content and an emphasis on nonfiction reading and writing skills. Both shared best practices with a group of charter, public, and parochial school leaders from around the country, as part of the 2014 Schools That Can National Forum school tours.
RESU LTS
Top 10%
80%
The average first year student saw a 16-point increase on nationally standardized tests.
Almost half our students scored in the top 10% of the nation in reading comprehension and almost one-third scored in the top 10% in math.
80% of students either stayed steady or moved up into a higher group in both math and reading.
91%
83%
4.8 of 5
91% of parents rated each of our core academic programs “good” or “excellent.”
83% of alumni returned to Harlem Academy to attend an event last year.
Staff highly rates the school’s commitment to improving from year to year with an average score of 4.8 out of 5.
16-point+
READ IN G : Ye a r- to -Ye a r C h a nge in Per fo r mance
Median scores on nationally standardized tests were at the 87th percentile for English.
50%
2013 2014 NATIONAL MEDIAN
% OF STUDENTS
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% 0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
NATIONAL PERCENTILE RANK
60- 69
70-79
80-89
90-99
MAT H : Year - to -Ye a r C h a n g e in Per fo r mance
Median scores on nationally standardized tests were at the 83rd percentile for math.
50%
% OF STUDENTS
NATIONAL MEDIAN
2013 2014
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% 0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
NATIONAL PERCENTILE RANK
60- 69
70-79
80-89
90-99
WHAT PARE N TS SAY
My son’s success is definitely attributable to Harlem Academy. The academic foundation he acquired at HA prepared him for the challenges he has come across. I will never forget HA and what the faculty and staff have done for my son in assisting him in realizing his true potential. Thank you! PARENT, CLASS OF 2013
S ECONDARY S C H O O L P L AC E M ENT
Our first three graduating classes have earned $890,000 in scholarships to top secondary schools, and all alumni are enrolled in strong college prep programs. Independent Day Schools Chapin School Grace Church School International Community School of Addis Ababa Marymount School Riverdale Country School Spence School Trevor Day School York Prep School
Boarding Schools Burr and Burton Academy (VT) The School at Church Farm (PA) Holderness School (NH) The Hotchkiss School (CT) Peddie School (NJ) Purnell School (NJ) The Putney School (VT) The Stony Brook School (NY)
Catholic Schools All Hallows High School Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School Cardinal Hayes High School Cristo Rey High School St. Jean Baptiste High School
Public Schools Arts and Craftsmanship High School Humanities Preparatory Academy Leadership and Public Service High School Lower Manhattan Arts Academy
F IRST STE PS TOWA R D A F U TURE H O M E
In February 2014, we purchased a 20,000 square foot lot at 655 St. Nicholas Avenue that will eventually house Harlem Academy’s permanent home. This move will allow Harlem Academy to better meet its mission by serving more students in expanded facilities. We will add a kindergarten and, over time, a second section of each grade, growing to serve 360 students. Harlem Academy extends tremendous gratitude toward the donors listed here. Their gifts made the first steps toward a permanent home and the establishment of an endowment possible. The commitment and leadership they have shown help ensure the future of Harlem Academy and strengthen our ability to make a difference in the lives of our students and community.
Th e Al len Fami l y Foundati on Tony and Reg an As nes Friends of Bray Fami l y Ac ademy Pam C larke Mr. and M rs . Wi l l C ook Mar y Ga nze nmul ler and t he A .K. S tar r Chari table Tr us t Val a ri e Hi ng and A ri Rai s a K ram er L e v i n Naftali s & Frankel LLP Th e Cat Mac Rae Fund Mr. D a vi d B. Peters on Rafa e l Vi ñol y A rc hi tec ts Tom and S era Reyc raft Rober t and Laura S i l ler man Ti mothy S pei s s Hil l ar y and Brett T homa s
W HAT ALU M N I SAY
I felt like someone who could rise to a challenge, who was not scared to seek help, and who could achieve anything they put their mind and heart to. ZAHIR BARNES ‘14, CRISTO REY ‘18
F INAN C IA L S
Charity Navigator has ranked Harlem Academy the highest rated private or charter school in the nation for financial management and transparency. With more than three-quarters of the funding going directly to the program, Harlem Academy continues to be an excellent investment for our philanthropic partners. The school deeply appreciates the strong support of our donors, who provide 85% of funding.
201 3 -2 01 4 STAT E M E N T O F ACTI VI TI E S
F INAN C IA L S
HARL E M ACA D E M Y 2 013 - 2 01 4 ANNUAL RE P O RT
We thank the generous donors who made the 2013-2014 school year possible. See 2013-2014 Donor Listings
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