Annual Report 2023

2 0 2 3 Annual Report

Letter From Our Founder Table of Contents

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

1- LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER

our scholars’ daily attendance and social-emotional skills.

2- EMPOWERING CHILDREN THROUGH MUSIC

This year, our school continued scaling by adding a 7th grade, before school

3- IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS

known for. As of today, we are over enrolled and look forward to moving into

4- SCHOLAR COMMUNITY 5- PROFESSIONAL CULTURE 6- CONSTRUCTION PROJECT 7- SOCIAL SKILLS IN MOTION 8- ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 9- SUMMER BOOST 10- MLK DAY OF SERVICE 11- OUTSIDE PROGRAMS 12-WHIN FINANCIALS 13- BANDING TOGETHER 14- OUR SY23 TEAM 14- WAYS TO SUPPORT

clubs, a competitive after school sports program and middle school electives to ensure our students received the world class education WHIN has become 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

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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

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Impactful Programs

Academics WHIN has a rigorous and progressive academic program that equips students with the skills and knowledge to be well-rounded and successful.

El Sistema Every WHIN student receives daily instruction in both orchestra and choir in the El Sistema tradition.

After School All WHIN students have the opportunity to participate in our after school program at no cost to families.

School Clubs 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 Counseling Services 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

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Scholar Community

321 Students Served SY23

84%

Economically Disadvantaged

24%

English Language Learners

19%

Students with Disabilities

34%

Increase in Enrollment

31%

Increase in English Language Learners

85%

Student retention rate between SY23 and SY24

Academic Data Compared to Community School District 6, WHIN outperformed CSD6 by:

English Language Arts

Math

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

14% in comparison with our 4th grade ELL 13.5% in comparison with our 4th grade SWD 9.6% in comparison with our 3rd grade ELL 4

Professional Culture Out of 53 staff members from SY23,

30% are bilingual 43% identify as Latinx

49% live in the

communities we serve

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

91% find their

work meaningful

SY23 Survey

Percentage of those who scored favorable in each category Family Member Parent Involvement in School 98% Outreach to Parents 93% Parent-Principal Trust 93% Parent-Teacher Trust 93% Inclusive Leadership 90%

Teachers & Staff Outreach to Parents 91% Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction 86% Safety 86% Teacher-Principal Trust 85% Instructional Leadership 85%

Students Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction 87% Safety 82% Inclusive Leadership 83%

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Construction Project 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.

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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.

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Artist in Residence 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.

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Summer Boost 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.

Summer Data Points 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

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MLK Day of Service 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.

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Outside Programs

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.

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WHIN Financials Year over Year

FY23 Income Verses Expenses Income: $9,059,898.00

Expenses: $8,982,846.00

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Banding Together complete list of those who have contributed to WHIN since 2016 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

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

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Our SY23 Team LEADERSHIP FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Charlie Ortiz Jon Frega Brandon Buffin Christina Thomas

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Maria Del Valle

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Michael Drexler

BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

Gregory David

VICE CHAIR

Shewar Khan

TREASURER

Josh Bederman

SECRETARY

Ivonne Norman

MEMBER

Cynthia Ivanick

MEMBER

Bob Green

MEMBER

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

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517 W. 164th, New York, NY 10032 P| 844.489.0817 giving@whinmusic.org | www.whinmusic.org

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