Elementary & Middle School in Harlem, NYC

Harlem Academy, New York City:
Harlem Academy, located in East Harlem at 1330 Fifth Avenue in New York City is a private elementary and middle school serving grades one through eight. Our mission is to prepare bright, motivated students for success at top secondary schools and lifelong learning. At our school dedicated families, teachers, and supporters work together to provide educational opportunity to children whose potential might otherwise go unrealized.

Education Program Curriculum:

Literacy:
Our literacy program (2 and a half hours daily) builds reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Using a direct, systematic approach, students learn phonetics and whole language reading skills, prepare for a weekly assessment of spelling and vocabulary, and discuss books in a variety of genres. Students read independently for at least 30 additional minutes each day, charting progress and testing comprehension through a web-based program. Formal writing instruction takes place in a workshop model as well as in opportunities interwoven throughout the day. Spanish instruction is incorporated at all grade levels.

Math:
In our mathematics program (1 hour daily), students develop a broad understanding of mathematical concepts and an in-depth knowledge of mathematical operations and procedures. Concepts are taught using Singapore Mathematics, a challenging curriculum that focuses on teaching fewer concepts with greater depth and more complex problem solving as compared to typical U.S. programs.

Sciences:
Our sciences curriculum (1 hour daily) focuses on four disciplines: earth, life, physical, and social science. Students develop skills for inquiry, research, and investigation as well as full conceptual understanding through eight-week units. Much of the program incorporates the FOSS Science Curriculum, developed by the University of California, Berkeley and the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Lower School social science units focus on the development of a deep, meaningful understanding of an aspect of New York City history and culture. Fifth Grade expands on the Lower School work with a unit on US Geography.
All units include hands-on activities, field trips, cooperative projects, and other experiential learning opportunities.

Choice
During choice (1 hour), students choose from a range of challenging and engaging learning activities, including chess, mancala, checkers, painting, and computers. These supplemental learning opportunities build reasoning, creativity, and cooperative skills while promoting a sense of personal empowerment. Time in this block is also set aside for independent reading, student jobs, and conferencing between teachers and students.

Arts: 
Harlem Academy has developed its arts program (twice weekly for each class) in partnership with the Children’s Arts Carnival. Students receive instruction in two components, visual arts and performing arts, from professional teaching artists who also work with classroom teachers to integrate arts with other curricular areas. Visual arts include drawing, painting, and mask-making. Performing arts include singing, dance, percussion, and jazz. Students have the opportunity to model techniques of outstanding artists from various cultures throughout the world.

Athletics:
Athletics (1 hour daily) is divided according to season. After beginning the year with a cooperative games unit, students play soccer throughout the fall, developing skills and participating in intramural scrimmages. The winter season is split between cross-country running, hiking, and general fitness, where students are introduced to yoga and jump rope. Lacrosse is the main focus of the spring season, with time set aside at the end of the year for a final cooperative games unit.

The school weaves a Fitness Challenge into the athletics curriculum, where each student is taught and tested in four fitness areas: push-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run (sprint), and endurance run (distance), with a goal for each student to demonstrate improvement during the year.