Harlem Village Academies aims for a higher standard: students who think critically, argue passionately, and take ownership of their learning. We believe it is essential that students become independent and sophisticated thinkers, coherent writers, confident speakers, and avid readers. We seek to inspire in our students a passion for inquiry and a genuine love of learning. We also want to ensure that our students attain proficiency in basic knowledge and skills, so we have designed a core set of standards all students must master, exams they must pass, and content they must learn. Continue reading about our vision. 

Educational Program 

The key features of our educational program include: 

• A rich liberal arts curriculum based on rigorous standards of excellence.
• A longer day (7:30-4:40) that provides enough time for students to both master basic skills and to reflect deeply on what they're learning.
• Individualized tutoring, after-school homework center, and Saturday school for students needing extra help and attention.
• A small-group advisory system that provides personal attention and support by connecting each student with an adult advisor.
• School uniforms that reflect our commitment to a culture of mutual respect and serious scholarship.
• A clear, strict code of conduct that operates consistently across the school.
• After-school activities that include karate, chess, yoga and dance.
• Frequent, diagnostic assessment of student progress that enables teachers to check how students are doing and customize instruction or tutoring groups accordingly.
• A focus on college preparation including annual year-end college trips.
• A culture and system of accountability for academic achievement.
• Talented, dedicated teachers with expertise in their subject areas and a passion for teaching.
• A small, close-knit, nurturing school environment built around the values of compassion, hard work, responsibility, integrity, and kindness.

Rigorous Standards

The Harlem Village Academies learning standards are rich in content, high in expectations, and competitive with the best in the world. The standards are articulated vertically and horizontally, providing everyone in the school community with a clear understanding of what students should know and be able to do each quarter, at each grade level. Our graduation requirements exceed those of New York State and are designed to prepare all of our students for admission to the nation's finest colleges.

Our rigorous standards are matched by our scrupulous dedication to helping each and every student rise to the challenge. With dedicated teachers working in a supportive environment and empowered to develop a clear course of action, our students achieve greatness.

Rapid-Response Diagnostic Assessments

At Harlem Village Academies we don't wait for mid-terms or final exams to find out how our students are doing. Instead, our teachers give frequent, diagnostic assessments that tell us specifically where students are struggling - while there's still time to do something about it. The data we gather drives our instruction, enabling teachers to adjust course quickly in class and to provide immediate, targeted tutoring in those areas in which students need extra help.

College-Bound Curriculum

We expect each and every one of our students to be admitted to college - and to graduate successfully. To make this expectation real for our students, a college-bound culture permeates our school. Classrooms are named after the universities from which their teachers graduated, discussions about colleges occur frequently, and students visit different college campuses every year, starting in 5th grade. In our high school, students take physics, calculus, and other advanced courses, preparing them for the rigors of college coursework.

Arts & Enrichment

Our longer school day allows plenty of time for arts and enrichment. Our "Find Your Passion" program provides students with a rich variety of engaging activities. Depending on their grade level, students have the chance to experience classical music, martial arts, dance, violin, capoeira, yoga, jazz, cooking, chess, drama, studio art, fencing, basketball, public speaking, debate, community service, choir and more. In addition, mentoring and field trips provide unique learning opportunities for students.

Tutoring and Saturday School

We monitor student performance on a weekly and monthly basis. Each week teachers assign tutoring to any student who has not mastered our standards, and each month we assign Saturday School to any student whose grade point average is C or below. Teachers tutor their own students during the day through a daily "Small Group Instruction" block, as well as once a week after school. These built-in support systems keep students from developing chronic problems and provide immediate, individualized attention to students who need extra help.