Letter From Our Founder
To our stakeholders,
In 2023, your unwavering generosity played an integral part in WHIN’s ability to expand our in-school and out-of-school offerings and we could not be more proud of our scholars’ progress because of it. Throughout each semester, we witnessed not only academic and musical growth but also an improvement in our scholars’ daily attendance and social-emotional skills
This year, our school continued scaling by adding a 7th grade, before school clubs, a competitive after school sports program and middle school electives to ensure our students received the world class education WHIN has become known for As of today, we are over enrolled and look forward to moving into our new building for the 2024-25 school year
Created to meet our community’s needs, WHIN’s new home will include a state of the art theater, above grade security and air filtration systems, elevated outdoor spaces for both students and staff and a regulation sized gymnasium. To celebrate this major accomplishment, we will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony and building tour in the fall of 2024 We hope that you will be able to attend.
This is a deeply exciting time for WHIN; however, as we continue to grow, so does our need for support. It takes a village to raise a child and I have been sincerely grateful that you have committed to being a part of ours I hope that you will continue to join us in our pursuit for equitable access to rigorous and high quality education for the children of the Washington Heights and Inwood communities.
I trust that this annual report will serve as a reminder for how much of an impact you have made this past year and I cannot wait to see where our collective efforts bring us next year
Most sincerely,
Charlie Ortiz Founder and Executive Director
EMPOWERING CHILDREN THROUGH MUSIC
Mission:
The Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School (“WHIN Music Charter School” or “WHIN”) will provide our diverse student population with rigorous academic instruction, intensive music education and a positive learning environment so that every student can thrive academically and socioemotionally
Diversity Equity and Inclusion:
At WHIN, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are at the core of who we are. We stand committed to working for a more just world by living out these values. We further commit ourselves to fighting racism and using music as a vehicle to enact social change so our scholars can grow into citizen artists. In doing so, we trust that they will develop a firm ability to understand their history, the critical thinking necessary to envision a better world and the skills to make that world our future reality.
“Music has allowed me to persevere in ways that I never thought possible, opening up a whole new horizon of experiences for me ” -WHIN student
Academics
WHIN has a rigorous and progressive academic program that equips students with the skills and knowledge to be well-rounded and successful.
ElSistema
Every WHIN student receives daily instruction in both orchestra and choir in the El Sistema tradition.
AfterSchool
All WHIN students have the opportunity to participate in our after school program at no cost to families
SchoolClubs
In order to combat chronic absenteeism, WHIN has started before school clubs that include: Chess Club, Coding and Video Game Design Club, Comic Book / Anime Club, Creative Writing Club and Exploring World Cultures Club
CounselingServices
Counseling is available to students needing individual or group support. In addition to having access to the K-7 school counselor, WHIN students were also able to receive in-house therapy from a social worker based in the NY-Presbyterian School-Based Health Clinic
“Music makes me feel special and I am so glad that music has given me the strength to try so many new things in my life.”
-WHIN Student
ScholarCommunity 321
Economically Disadvantaged
StudentsServedSY23
EnglishLanguage Learners
AcademicData
StudentswithDisabilities
IncreaseinEnrollment
IncreaseinEnglish LanguageLearners
Studentretentionrate betweenSY23andSY24
Compared to Community School District 6, WHIN outperformed CSD6 by:
26.7% in comparison with our 6th grade English Language Learners (ELL) 14% in comparison with our 4th grade ELL
5.4% in comparison with our entire 6th grade
in comparison with our 4th grade ELL
5% in comparison with our 4th grade SWD
in comparison with our 3rd grade ELL
ProfessionalCulture
I believe in the vision of WHIN The families and students at WHIN are amazing and motivate me to want to be my best at preparing them for the future - WHIN Teacher
Out of 53 staff members from SY23,
SY23Survey
Percentage of those who scored favorable in each category
ConstructionProject
In fall of 2023, WHIN celebrated the topping out of our new facility just a few blocks away from our current location. This marked a major milestone in the construction process as the completion of the entire steel framework of the building means we continue to stay on track to opening our doors to the WHIN community in the fall of 2024
This massive undertaking has consisted of renovating an existing three-story 29,880 square foot facility and constructing an additional five-stories approximately 25,000 square feet. The completed school facility will be eight-stories, approximately 54,880 square feet. The school facility will include a 370-seat auditorium for musical performances, a gymnasium, cafeteria, multiple music classrooms (e g violin, viola, brass, choral, woodwind), 18 regular grade level classrooms, administrative offices, nurse’s room, and outdoor play-deck
New Initiatives
Social Skills in Motion brought experienced social workers to school to create engaging and safe environments for students. This program was designed to create movement based activities designed to help students develop social and emotional skills. The program also supported student’s in developing positive relationships, coping skills and safe conflict resolution throughout the day.
ArtistinResidence Program
We were honored to partner with Daniel Bernard Roumain, widely recognized for his innovative compositions and groundbreaking work in the world of music, to be WHIN’s inaugural Artist in Residence.
One of the program's highlights will be the creation of a unique musical piece that will showcase the incredible talents of our students and the vibrant spirit of our institution This composition will combine voice and orchestra, offering our students a truly exceptional opportunity to collaborate with a world-class composer.
We believe that this Artist-in-Residence Program not only enhances our students' musical education but also fosters creativity, innovation and a sense of pride within our institution. It is an opportunity for our school to gather as a community and celebrate the arts in a truly meaningful way
SummerBoost
Thanks to the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropy, WHIN was able to put on our own 23 day long summer camp focused on closing the achievement gap. Our program offered an array of enriching opportunities tailored to suit diverse learning needs. These included but were not limited to robotics, musical theater, semi-private music lessons and pull out services for our students with special education and ENL needs
We had 151 students in attendance and from the first day we opened our doors, scholars were so eager to enter the building. It was truly heartwarming to witness the continuous stream of smiles, high-fives and genuine excitement. Welcoming students at the gates each morning and seeing their eagerness to be a part of this incredible summer learning program brought our team immense joy and fulfillment.
SummerDataPoints
ELA
7.45% increase between pre and post assessment
25% increase in rising 1st grade
20% increase in rising 4th grade
Math
10.92% increase between pre and post assessment
38% increase in rising 1st grade
15 18% increase in rising 6th grade
MLKDayofService
Each year, WHIN puts on a day of service to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting impact on our world. For SY23, our students and staff came together to create over 300 care packages for two homeless shelters in Washington Heights: the Dominican Women’s Development Center and Project Renewal This annual tradition was sponsored by Bombas Socks and has continued to serve as a wonderful opportunity for our students, families and staff to positively impact our community.
OutsidePrograms
To combat chronic absenteeism and foster an overall greater sense of community, WHIN has made significant expansions to our before and after school programs. We approached this by starting before school clubs have included but are not limited to: Open Music Practice, Creative Writing, Dance Club and Student Council.
For FY24 WHIN chose to partner with New York Edge for our after school program
We also partnered with the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) which offers their highly regarded dance program to WHIN students
Finally, we have partnered with the Trinity Theater Group to offer a pilot Theater and Literacy enrichment program in after school along with adding TriM Music Honors Society and National Honors Society.
It is our hope that by engaging our students in different ways before and after school we can continue to support healthy attendance at school and combat chronic absenteeism.
Gray Foundation
Walton Family Foundation
El Sistema USA
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation
Joe and Sandy Samberg Foundation
Mai Family Foundation
Art Samberg
Jane Davis
Paige Daly and Steve Deblasi
Leonard Green
Sidney David
Bob Green
Joshua Bederman
D'Addario Foundation
Greg David
Jamie Hooper
Julie Rubinstein Family Foundation
Michelle and Jonathan Green Charitable Fund
Alex Sinelnikov
St Thomas Church
Julie Steinberg
Margaret and Eric Friedberg
Kim and Elliot Katz Family Fund
Arnold Adlin
Shewar Khan
Kenneth Grover
Cynthia Ivanick
Heidi Morales
Classics for Kids
Steven Ortiz
American Online Giving
Mark Ellman
John Gatsos
Sara Grillo
Estelle (Stelle) Heller
Jon David
Anessa Karney
Aaron Kotick
Lindsey Lynch
Amy Mulderry
Michael Seeve
BandingTogether
completelistofthosewhohavecontributedtoWHINsince2016
Andy Snyder
Olivia and Gerry Shapiro
Bryan Dunn
Janet and John Ortiz
David Oshinsky
Network for Good
Lee Ann Norman
Janet Greenman
Heidi and David Krauss
Robin Allstadt
Ronald Aroesty
Anita Beeber
Stephen Chase
Douglas Mac Group of Florida
Sherman Edmiston
Mark and Ellie Gordon
Stuart and Paula Graff
Roger Granet
Mike Herman
Robin Hummel
David Kaufthal
Ruta Krawczyk
Lawrence Lerner
Helen and Carl Marbach
Vicki and David Portman
Laura Samberg Faino
Maddy and Arthur Seeman
Diane-Kiernan Smith
Jay Takefman
Michael Zaitsev
Joe Littenberg
Paul Appelbaum
Rada Sumareva
Julia Zilberquit
Tandis Nili
Rochelle Castellano
Ivan and Linda Gefen
Raymond Janeczek
Ethan Kline
Carmel Owen
Al and Marcia Schmier
Lynn Schronbaun
Don and Barbara Werner
Anne and Art Wichman
Curtis Winter
Richard Huyhn
Lori and Timon Malloy
Pavel Latash
Steve and Maddy Lee
Jon Nelson
Richard Nierenberg
Linda Podietz
Richard and Audrey Stoller
William Wheeler
Art and Riki Winston
Linda Zeltner
Steven Bloom
Barbara Glasser
Mary Golfman Litwin
Lanilyn Kabir
Evan Ross
Igor Segal
Erin Topham
Eric Booth
Arnold and Isabele Friedman
Susan Akana
Karen and Lawrence Altschul
Peggy Dezwirek
Lev Gelfer
Marlene Grad
Enid Grant
Ronni and Ralph Grebow
Michael Green
Joyce Hoch
Julian Kaiser
Gerry and Lyla Klein
Toni Klimowicz
Roberta and Arnie Krumholz
Adele and Herman Lebersfeld
Carolann and Steven Leffler
Jeffrey Levine
Bill Mentlick
William Mentlik
Dale Merken
Jeremy Milan
Robert and Andi Munzer
Sarah Najarian
Francine Oberst
Rachel Orban
Richard Padulo
Roshel Pasos
Anthony Paolone
Yomil Rosas
Rachel Rosin
Adria Crutchfield
Edward and Arlene Ruff
Richard and Elissa Schwartz
Ryan Szainwald
Hong Truong
Marian Waldman
Lori Zabar
Calvin Zarin
David Shakarchi
Margaret Chapman
Geri Pozner
Eli Yamin
Vincent Brancato
Alexander Natanzon
Puja Ahluwalia
Elisabeth Dalfen
Chris Dippilito
Jane Goldstein
Carrie Grassi
Linda Greene
Amelia Holstrom
Mary Lampson
Heather Les
Beth Lugara
Joan and Ed Mahler
Adam Pollock
Andrea Profili
Katy Rubin-Weinstein
Jeffery and Stephanie Schreider
Roy Wepner
Lijing Wu
Jack Marine
Lois Nix
Un Sil Hwang
Thomas Weise
Robert Allen
Donna Flaccavento
Lucas Franken
Rita and Robert Miller
Cynthia Sheitelman
Stephen Gilman
Kristina Orlanes
Our SY23 Team
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Charlie Ortiz
Jon Frega
Brandon Buffin
Christina Thomas
Maria Del Valle
Michael Drexler
CHAIR
VICE CHAIR
TREASURER
SECRETARY
MEMBER
MEMBER
MEMBER
Gregory David
Shewar Khan
Josh Bederman
Ivonne Norman
Cynthia Ivanick
Bob Green
Heidi Morales
Ways to Support
WHIN Music Community Charter School is a registered New York State 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible. For more information, or to get involved as a supporter, email giving@whinmusic.org.
For check donations please send to the address below:
WHIN Music Community Charter School Attn: Development 517 W. 164th St. New York, NY 10032
