When the first class of fifth graders entered Harlem Village Academy, they ranked in the nation’s bottom 20th percentile, lacking basic skills and study habits. Three years later, they ranked #1 in mathematics of all non-selective public schools in New York State. Today these students are analyzing Shakespeare, studying physics, and competing in a college-level debate team.

Harlem Village Academy ranks #1 of all public schools in New York State in eighth grade math

We passionately believe all children can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of their socio-economic background. We are relentless about high academic standards. Our students enter far below grade level; yet after a few years at Harlem Village Academies, they graduate with test scores higher than New York City and New York State public schools.

Dramatic Student Achievement Gains

Students enroll in Harlem Village Academies through a random, public lottery, an average of three to four years below grade level. After one year at our academies, students make remarkable achievement gains, and after three years their achievement gains are life-changing. According to Stanford University's Center for Research on Education Outcomes, "Harlem Village Academy has demonstrated an outstanding record of progress."

% of Students Scoring Advanced or Proficient

2009 NYS 7th Grade English Test

% of Students Scoring Advanced or Proficient

2009 NYS 7th Grade Math Test

Serving the Lowest Performing School Districts

Harlem Village Academies makes a deliberate effort to reach out and recruit from New York City's lowest-performing school districts. Harlem has been one of the most underserved and lowest-performing school districts in the country for decades. 100% of our students are minority, approximately 74% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, and 12% are special education. Students are admitted through a random, open lottery.

100% of Harlem Village Academy students who scored level 1 (illiteracy) advanced to level 2 (basic) or level 3 (proficient) on the New York State Reading Test within one year

Solid Track Record of Sustained Performance

Student achievement is particularly important in eighth grade. This is the most significant year of middle school: students who perform well are likely to succeed in high school and enroll in college, but students who fall behind or fail are more likely to drop out of high school. National and New York State student achievement steadily declines from fifth to eighth grade. Harlem Village Academies shows the exact opposite trend: sustained achievement gains culminating in extraordinary eighth grade performance.

Harlem Village Academy made history as the first class of eighth grade students ever in the history of Harlem to achieve 100% passing on the New York State Math Test

High School

• 97% of our high school students passed the Integrated Algebra Regents exam.

Science & Social Studies

• 100% of Harlem Village Academy 8th grade students passed the New York State Science Test.
• 96.4% of Harlem Village Academy 8th grade students passed the New York State Social Studies Test.

Attendance

We explicitly teach students the importance of consistent attendance and timely arrival, and we work hard to inspire as well as insist on high levels of attendance. As a result, average student attendance is 96%. By comparison, student attendance in New York City public schools is reported between 85-90%.

Parent Satisfaction

Parents are surveyed several times per year and survey results are studied and acted upon by school principals and teachers. Parent satisfaction is strong at Harlem Village Academies.

95.4% of parents grade our academies A or B

National, State & NYC Evaluations

Harlem Village Academy earned the highest possible level of charter renewal from the State University of New York, as well as the New York State Education Department’s “High Performing” designation. All our academies have met AYP federal accountability improvement goals every year for the last five years. All our academies have NCLB “Good Standing” designation.

On the NYC school grading system, Harlem Village Academies earned a grade of “A” in all categories and “A” overall

All NYC Public School District Results

2009 NYS 8th Grade Math Test