The difference at Harlem Village Academies is clear from the moment you walk in the door. A warm and nurturing atmosphere and a love of learning permeates our academies. A profound sense of community and intellectual energy can be felt throughout the school. It is the way the students behave in the hallway, the way they laugh and sing in class one moment, and return to serious study the next, the way teachers light up and engage students in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to infuse their individual style into rigorous coursework. Students are expected to comport themselves with dignity, to treat others with kindness and respect, and to actively pursue academic excellence.

Character and Values

Integral to our mission is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s notion of "strong mind and tender heart" - that a complete education includes not only the development of intellectual competence but also the nurturing of fine character. Harlem Village Academies' emphasis on universal human values prepares students to become compassionate adults and concerned citizens.

High Expectations

Harlem Village Academies has high expectations for character, behavior and habits of scholarship. Every student is expected to arrive on time every day, wear a school uniform, and follow a strict code of conduct. We make clear to our students from the beginning that we do not tolerate late homework, disrespectful words or even gestures, or any other "minor" infractions. High expectations convey our respect for our students, and our belief in their tremendous potential. This engender in students strong self-esteem and respect for self and peers.

Preventive Discipline

The root of "discipline" is disciple - to learn or to teach. Discipline at Harlem Village Academies is not something we do in reaction to misbehavior; it is how we teach and train students to behave properly in the first place. Thus, our approach to discipline is preventive. We support students by explicitly teaching them all behavioral rules and routines; we inspire them by sharing the reasons and benefits of each routine; we insist that the rules are followed by 100% of students 100% of the time; and we practice over and over until the behaviors become habit.

Each of our teachers receives intensive training and ongoing coaching in preventive discipline, and teachers are fully supported by the school leadership. In addition, teachers are supported by our school-wide culture of working as a team. This approach helps our students who grow to appreciate the many benefits of a safe, strict and nurturing learning environment.  

Student Orientation

At the beginning of the school year, all new students go through an extensive orientation in which they learn about our character and behavior expectations. We teach every rule and routine in a precise and deliberate manner. We help students to develop the behavior and study habits that will enable them to successfully meet all expectations daily.

Character Education

Our character education program includes a variety of approaches to instilling our values through example as well as instruction. Every morning, the whole school gathers for a "morning meeting" where the principals set the tone for the day. On Fridays, students gather for "family meetings" where they have a chance to talk on a personal level in small groups with their advisors. Students organize a variety of community service projects such as toy drives, coat drives, charity walkathons, and bake sales to raise funds for impoverished villages in Africa. Weekly "community circle" gives students a sense of belonging and pride as they receive recognition for exceptional acts of kindness, integrity, generosity, hard work, and scholarship.

Advisory

Within our small, tight-knit learning community, every adult gets to know every child and family. Every student is guided by an adult advisor - a mentor who develops a close personal relationship with the student and his or her family. The advisor provides stability and individual attention to ensure each student's emotional and social well-being.

Family Involvement

We care deeply about families, and we view parents as partners in the educational process. We reach out to build close relationships with parents and we offer guidance and suggestions for at-home strategies they can use to support their child's academic success. Teachers check-in frequently to give progress reports, solicit feedback, and address concerns. We also create opportunities for families to build genuine relationships with one another through our pot-luck dinners, social events and activities. We survey our families regularly, asking for their feedback and ideas - and we follow-up on those ideas!

Harlem Village Academies consistently achieves high levels of parent satisfaction: over 95% of parents have consistently rated our academies with a grade of A or B.