Nurturing Future Leaders
Program Guide
HARLEM ACADEMY . 2026-2027
Cultivating Excellence Harlem Academy inspires excellence with a rigorous curriculum wrapped in a joyful and ethical school culture. We foster confidence by setting up real challenges, nurturing talent, and supporting students in meeting their individual goals. We work with focus and determination but take time to celebrate each other’s achievements and share in life’s special moments.
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A Creed That Inspires Character education at Harlem Academy is rooted in our School Creed and four community pillars: initiative, integrity, compassion, and determination. Students learn the Creed as kindergartners, carrying it with them as they grow. It serves as a foundation for reflection and improvement, a catalyst for discussion in advisory and community meetings, and a touchpoint for daily lessons across academic subjects.
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Gathering around shared values. Weekly community meetings bring each division together to explore the Creed and pillars. Meetings are anchored by a reading, story, or activity that emphasizes values and habits critical to students’ success. A cherished tradition is the presentation of commendations, recognizing a student’s action that exemplifies the pillars or demonstrates growth. This positive recognition reinforces our values and sets an example for others. Community meetings also include recitations of our School Thanksgiving and Creed, guided mindfulness, and informal greetings.
Traditions that celebrate growth. Throughout their journey, traditions help students reflect on who they are and hope to become as individuals and community members. At the end of kindergarten, each student writes a letter to their future self, reflecting on their achievements and hopes. They repeat this ritual every year, culminating in a powerful moment on graduation day when the head of school hands them a bulging envelope filled with years of memories, milestones, and dreams – a tangible testament to how much they have grown. As the oldest elementary students, fifth graders lead a community meeting and help plan a memorable “Moving Up Day” for incoming sixth grade students. As they transition to middle school, sixth graders embark on their first three-day outdoor adventure to a camp near the Delaware River, where they step outside their comfort zones and build lasting connections. In the fall of eighth grade, a blazer ceremony recognizes students as leaders within school and ambassadors beyond our walls. Eighth graders also serve as mentors during primary school physical education classes and lead a community meeting. In the spring, they donate a book to our library, sharing what inspired their choice with younger students. Before graduation, students travel to Washington, D.C. for a three-day leadership experience, where they meet with public servants, visit landmarks, and connect with alumni. At commencement, each graduate introduces a classmate, reflecting on how they have lived the Creed – a fitting culmination of years of practice in public speaking and engaging with our four pillars: initiative, integrity, determination, and compassion.
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Primary School
GRADES K-2
Primary school is a formative time, when children begin to shape their identities as learners and friends. Our students become confident readers and writers and start to see themselves as future mathematicians, scientists, and changemakers. Through joyful engagement, they learn to build productive routines, express their ideas, collaborate with others, and overcome challenges. Hattress’s Schedule | First Grade Fall Students can arrive as early as 7:15 a.m. and may stay until 5:45 p.m., with required programming from 8:00 a.m. until 3:50 p.m.
Regular Program Arrives early for optional breakfast Literacy Physical education Morning meeting Math Lunch Recess Library (1x/week) Chess (1x/week) Science (2x/week) Spanish (2x/week)
Hattress ’34
Community meeting (1x/week) Advisory (1x/week) Performing arts | Dance (1x/week) Visual arts | Color and Form (1x/week)
After-School Enrichment Chess club Homework support
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During Primary School, Your Child: Works closely with two teachers within a homeroom model Spends more than two hours per day on literacy, fostering a love of reading Participates in recess and physical education every day Can represent Harlem Academy’s chess team at a statewide tournament Studies percussion, theater, art, and dance through a partnership with Harlem School of the Arts Presents at three Celebrations of Learning each year, sharing accomplishments with family and friends
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Literacy Our program includes fiction and nonfiction reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and phonics within integrated units. Students also learn how to communicate effectively not only through writing and their first experiences with public speaking but also by developing the important skills of active listening and problem-solving. Daily read-alouds connect to our School Creed, prompt wholeclass discussions, or just bring smiles to students’ faces. Students visit the library each week to find independent reading books with the help of their classroom teacher.
Mathematics We introduce each new concept through a structured progression: first with hands-on manipulatives like teddy bear counters, then with pictorial representations, and finally with abstract representations such as algorithms. Students also use IXL to reinforce skills and build fluency at their own pace. Starting in second grade, our most advanced students can participate in a problemsolving lab. Kindergartners build foundational number sense and fluency with counting and comparing. They count to 20, develop an understanding of place value with ones and tens, and compare sets to determine which is larger. Students build an early understanding of addition and subtraction as combining and taking apart. A study of shapes and their attributes introduces students to geometry. First graders deepen their understanding of numbers up to 100, strengthening their grasp of place value and developing fluency with addition and subtraction. They begin using standard algorithms and mental math strategies to add and subtract within 20. Students also explore measurement concepts, compare lengths and weights, and learn to organize and analyze data using pictorial and bar graphs. Second graders expand their number sense to 1,000, gaining confidence in comparing and ordering numbers. Students use addition and subtraction strategies that require regrouping and bar models to represent and solve two-step problems. They learn multiplication using repeated addition of equal groups and master facts for 2, 5, and 10. Students develop measurement skills using metric and customary systems, solve word problems involving length and mass, and extend their data analysis skills by creating picture graphs.
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As part of their science curriculum, primary students visit Wave Hill to explore the natural world, identifying leaves, creating rubbings, and deepening their understanding of seeds and the life cycles of trees.
My child truly looks forward to going to school every day. I am constantly impressed by the level of exposure, critical thinking, and creativity built into the curriculum at such a young age.” Tanya Liriano, Parent ’33
Science Students study physical, Earth, and life science each year using a handson curriculum. They ask and answer questions about the world around them through inquiry, investigation, and analysis. Kindergartners start with an animal studies unit, learning about basic needs of common land and water animals while observing differences in structure and behavior. The materials and motion unit introduces the study of natural resources and how the properties of materials determine their use. In the trees and weather unit, students track daily weather changes throughout the year and examine how weather impacts living things. First grade begins with the animal and plant defenses unit, where they explore how traits like shells, spikes, poison, and
camouflage help organisms stay safe from predators in their habitats. During the light and sound unit, students act as engineers to explore how light is needed to see and how sound is created by vibrations. They end the year with an Earth sciences unit focused on the patterns of day, night, and the sun's position. Second graders start the year studying plant and animal relationships, exploring how animals rely on plants for food and shelter and, in turn, how plants rely on animals for seed dispersal and pollination. In their materials unit, students take on the role of "glue engineers" to design a new, sticky glue. Throughout the unit, they observe characteristics, analyze the effects of heat on mixtures, and test different recipes. They end the year
with a geology unit, where students explore how water, wind, and material type reshape the Earth's surface through erosion.
Spanish Using interactive activities, read-alouds, games, dancing, and arts and crafts, students expand their language skills. Students build confidence to express themselves verbally and in writing during two language instruction blocks each week. They learn vocabulary and grammar, with a focus on greetings, numbers, shapes, family, body parts, days of the week, seasons, months, and weather. Students also explore Hispanic and Latino cultures and traditions.
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Elementary School
GRADES 3-5
We continue to nurture a love of reading, writing, math, and science as students develop into confident, independent learners. Our elementary students deepen their understanding of the School Creed, applying its core pillars – integrity, compassion, determination, and initiative – to more complex ideas and their personal values.
Regular Program Arrives early for optional breakfast and informal soccer Morning meeting Literacy Math lab Recess Lunch Science (3x/week) Physical education (3x/week)
Jolie’s Schedule | Fourth Grade Winter Students can arrive as early as 7:15 a.m. and may stay until 5:45 p.m., with required programming from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Advisory (1x/week) Community meeting (1x/week) Visual arts | Comic art (1x/week) Performing arts | Piano (1x/week)
Jolie ’31
Library (1x/week)
After-School Enrichment Homework support Spanish
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During Elementary School, Your Child: Studies piano, improv, dance, and comic illustration at Harlem School of the Arts Takes advantage of after-school enrichment opportunities, including Spanish, sports and games, STEM, and art Explores the scientific method through a range of experiments with a dedicated specialist Crafts and presents original poetry Leads a community meeting Delves into the rich narrative of “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer as they prepare for the rigors of middle school
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Literacy By the time they complete elementary school, students have built a strong foundation in reading, writing, listening, and speaking – critical tools for long-term academic success. Each day, they dedicate over two hours to developing these skills. Our program focuses on fiction and nonfiction reading, including a study of New York State history in fourth grade and Greek and Roman history in fifth grade. As students advance through elementary school, they take on more complex writing assignments and literary analysis through novel study. All three grades continue to build their grammar and vocabulary knowledge, while teachers incorporate read-alouds to model strong reading habits, encourage thoughtful discussion, and celebrate an inclusive tapestry of voices, particularly Black, Latino, and other authors and characters of color. At least once a week, they visit the school library to discover new independent reading books, and you’ll often see students with a book in hand.
Mathematics Our students build deep conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in numerical operations, geometry, data analysis, measurement, and problem-solving. This curriculum teaches fewer concepts with greater depth, guiding students from concrete examples to pictorial demonstrations before transitioning to abstract concepts. Students ready to tackle more challenging problems participate in an advanced math lab. Third graders solidify their understanding of addition and subtraction up to 10,000, mastering regrouping strategies. They explore multiplication as repeated addition of same-sized groups and division as splitting into same-sized groups and gain confidence with multiplication facts. Using bar models, they begin solving multi-step multiplication and division problems. Students are introduced to fractions, placing them on a number line, comparing them, and ordering them. Geometry topics include area and perimeter, connecting these concepts to addition and multiplication. Students also extend their measurement skills by learning the metric system for mass and volume. Fourth graders strengthen their ability to apply all four numerical operations to solve problems and work with numbers up to 100,000. They deepen
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Elementary students often study science through hands-on learning that brings lessons to life. Here, students create their own “volcano” during a geology unit.
their understanding of fractions and decimals, including comparing and ordering fractions, converting improper fractions to mixed numbers, adding and subtracting mixed numbers, and solving fraction word problems using bar models. They explore the relationship between fractions and decimals and learn to compare and round decimals. In geometry, students learn to measure and classify angles and identify triangles based on their angles. Fifth graders refine their understanding of place value, working with numbers up to 10,000,000. They extend their skills by adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions and mixed numbers, applying bar models to solve word problems with fraction multiplication. They also add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals, applying these skills to real-world situations. In geometry, students study volume, calculating the volume of rectangular and composite prisms. The data analysis unit introduces graphing coordinate pairs on the x-y plane and representing data using line plots.
When I asked my son about the commendation he received, his response made me proud. He said, ‘That’s just what we do, Mom. We look out for each other at HA, and in life. Period.’” Monica De La Cruz, Parent ’29
Science Through hands-on inquiry, students gather and analyze evidence and explore real-world challenges. Third graders investigate how balanced and unbalanced forces affect motion, developing models to explain these interactions. They explore how traits are inherited and influenced by environments, analyzing variation within and across species and how traits impact an organism's ability to thrive. During a study of weather and climate, students collect data, analyze patterns, and design solutions to reduce the impact of natural hazards. Fourth graders explore how energy is transferred and transformed within systems and consider ways to improve
reliability. Students then learn how light travels and is processed by different organisms. In a unit on Earth’s features, they study rock layers, fossils, and landforms to infer geological processes. During a unit on sound and waves, students explore how energy and information travel and ways sensory input helps organisms survive. Fifth graders study the sun, moon, and stars to understand Earth's place in the solar system. Students then examine matter’s structure and properties and explore substance interactions. They study climate and water cycles and design ways to conserve resources. An ecosystem restoration unit focuses on organism relationships and strategies to improve ecosystem health.
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Middle School
GRADES 6-8
In middle school, students write and perform original poetry, learn emergency medicine, bring Shakespeare’s plays to life, tackle Algebra 1, and cap off a twoyear study of U.S. history with a trip to our nation’s capital. Middle schoolers manage longer-term assignments, navigate multiple classrooms and teachers, and choose their art classes and extracurricular activities. This growing independence ensures they leave middle school prepared for success in secondary school and beyond.
Regular Program Arrives early for optional breakfast and time in the library U.S. history Pre-algebra Recess Lunch Human biology English Advisory: Team block (3x/week)
Ananya’s Schedule | Seventh Grade Spring Students can arrive as early as 7:15 a.m. and may stay until 5:45 p.m., with required programming from 8:30 a.m. until 4:10 p.m.
Advisory: Grade block (3x/week) Physical education (2x/week) Community meeting (1x/week) Skills seminar (1x/week)
Ananya ’28
Performing arts | Percussion (1x/week)
After-School Enrichment School musical STEM club
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During Middle School, Your Child: Embraces outdoor challenges and bonds with classmates during our three-night wilderness trip Can run interscholastic cross-country at Van Cortlandt Park Collaborates with classmates to design a daylong field trip to explore NYC Performs in our annual eighth grade Shakespeare play Participates in our Blazer Ceremony as an eighth grader, representing leadership both in and out of school Explores D.C. and meets with national leaders during a three-day trip Shares how a classmate exemplifies the School Creed during the graduation ceremony
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English Middle schoolers explore contemporary and classic literature, refine their writing across genres, and develop an expansive academic vocabulary. With each text, students analyze the motivations behind characters’ actions and reflect on how those choices relate to their own beliefs. Literature serves as both a mirror – helping students explore their identities and values – and a window into different times, places, and cultures. Writing plays a key role in deepening comprehension, encouraging students to clarify and extend their ideas about what they are reading and their personal stories.
Sixth graders begin the year reinforcing habits and strategies of strong readers by exploring short stories, analyzing how authors develop ideas over the course of a text, and expressing their thinking through constructed responses. Students also write and present original poetry, showcasing their command of language and storytelling. The year concludes with an introduction to Shakespeare through a study of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Core texts include: “Before We Were Free” by Julia Alvarez “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare
Seventh graders develop their voices through literary analysis and storytelling. They are introduced to a tool called “LASA” (literary analysis short answer), which serves as the foundation for more complex literary analysis essays moving forward. Through classic and contemporary novels and science fiction short stories, students explore timeless themes – particularly identity and integrity – as they emerge into early adolescence. Core texts include: “The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of the Odyssey” by Rosemary Sutcliff “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
Eighth graders apply the reading, writing, and speaking skills they have developed throughout middle school as they craft and present original poetry, engage in advanced literary analysis, and study Shakespeare. They examine how Shakespeare uses language to develop character, plot, and theme before culminating the unit with a performance of “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Macbeth,” or “Julius Caesar.” Core texts include: “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare
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As part of Harlem Academy's annual financial literacy mini-unit, middle school students visit global investment firm Sixth Street to apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting alongside industry professionals.
Mathematics Students continue to develop as mathematicians throughout middle school, ultimately completing Algebra 1 in eighth grade. Our program builds students’ ability to articulate their reasoning clearly and critique mathematical arguments respectfully. Students ready for additional challenge are invited to join the math team. Sixth graders start the year exploring positive and negative integers along with number theory concepts, including prime numbers, factors and multiples, and squares and cubes. They develop a strong foundation in ratios, rates, unit rates, and speed-distance problems. Students represent percents as fractions and decimals and use models to solve problems involving percents. As they enter pre-algebra, they learn to represent unknown quantities with variables, simplify and solve one-step equations and inequalities, and explore independent and dependent variables by graphing
points on the coordinate plane. In the geometry unit, students calculate the area of polygons and the surface area and volume of rectangular prisms. Students also learn to describe the central tendencies of data sets using mean, median, and mode. Seventh grade begins with a study of real numbers, classifying rational and irrational numbers, and gaining fluency with all four integer operations. Students build on their pre-algebra skills to solve multi-step equations and inequalities. They complete an in-depth study of linear equations, including calculating slope, graphing using slope-intercept form, and finding the equation of a line. Students are introduced to the concept of a function and identify functions and relations. Students also understand exponents as repeated multiplication and learn to multiply exponential expressions with the same base. Finally, students are
introduced to simple and compound probability and develop probability models for different scenarios. Eighth graders complete a highschool-level Algebra 1 course, beginning with a review of linear equations and inequalities before moving on to solving systems of equations. They extend their algebraic skills with exponent operations, polynomial arithmetic, and an indepth study of factoring techniques. Students also explore quadratic equations, learning to graph parabolas and solve projectile motion problems using quadratic functions and graphs. Students explore rational expressions and equations and identify what values make a rational expression undefined. The year concludes with a unit on the Pythagorean theorem and special right triangles.
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Science Our program centers on engaging academic content with regular connections between scientific concepts and future career paths. By integrating scientific reading, writing, and research, we prepare students to pursue higher-level science as they progress into high school and college. Sixth graders act as geologists investigating fossils from different continents and learn how Earth’s surface changes over time. They apply their knowledge of plate motion as engineering interns tasked with designing a tsunami warning system. In astronomy, students explore moon features, phases, and eclipses. They then examine how temperature, wind, and energy transfer shape local weather and investigate climate change. Acting as civil engineering interns, they design roof modifications to reduce the climate impact of cities. Our seventh grade human biology course is divided into two units: cells and human body systems. In the cells unit, students trace how DNA drives anatomy and physiology. Students look at different types of cells under the microscope and conduct several labs to understand how cells function. During the second unit, students study many of the organ systems that work together to help the body function. Eighth grade applied science begins with emergency medicine, which connects students’ knowledge of body systems from seventh grade to the appropriate response to medical emergencies. Students analyze a patient to determine the injury and study first-aid responses to wounds, fractures, shock, and heat-induced illnesses. A lab-driven chemistry unit culminates in students designing, conducting, and documenting their own experiments. The year ends with an architecture unit, where professional architects guide students in designing and building a model structure.
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When I joined Harlem Academy, I quickly learned that asking questions was essential to fully understanding all the new information I was learning. This taught me the importance of seeking help when I need it and taking responsibility for my growth.” Troi Carter ’26
History Middle schoolers learn to think like historians by developing analytical skills and building content knowledge. Students use evidence to construct and evaluate historical arguments, analyze primary and secondary sources to assess perspective and context, and examine continuity and change over time. Sixth grade world history focuses on the interactions between and within different societies from roughly 600 to 1800 C.E. The first unit focuses on the rise and spread of Islam and introduces the forces that unify societies and the ways empires develop, which are recurring concepts throughout the year. During the unit on West Africa, students read excerpts from a transcription and translation of “Sundiata: An
Epic of Old Mali” to examine how griots have preserved the history of the founding of the Mali Empire. The unit on Mesoamerica and South America includes our first “documentbased question,” where students are challenged to analyze a historical issue or trend through the lens of provided sources to serve as evidence. The final unit on interactions between societies of the Atlantic world from about 1450-1800 concludes with students using the content and skills they have learned to write interpretations of what fueled the Haitian Revolution. Seventh grade launches a two-year exploration of U.S. history from the colonial era through the Civil War. Our first unit examines the land and peoples that eventually become the
United States. Students then explore the colonial era through the experiences of the many groups who shaped North America during its first 150 years of European settlement. The next unit examines the American Revolution and its significance for different groups of people from 1754 to 1783, followed by a study of the Constitution. The year concludes with an investigation of the causes of the Civil War and how the conflict led to the end of slavery. Throughout the course, students engage with a range of primary and secondary sources, including selected excerpts from Ronald Takaki’s “A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America.” Eighth graders investigate U.S. history from 1865 to the present, examining
how Americans simultaneously pushed to expand freedom and resisted those efforts both within the country and beyond. The year begins with an examination of Black Americans’ experiences in the decades following the Civil War, drawing on a mix of primary and secondary sources. Students then complete a research project, investigating a topic studied in the first unit and then formally present their findings. The course concludes with a focus on U.S. history in a global context, including a study of World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Students enter high school with an understanding and appreciation of the ways that historical narratives are constructed and can change over time.
Skills seminar Taught by Dean of Faculty Will Beller, the course strengthens the foundation students need to thrive across the curriculum. For sixth and seventh graders, a central pillar is language development, with a systematic focus on grammar and vocabulary. By understanding how words are constructed and how they relate to one another, students build background knowledge that supports success across disciplines. In eighth grade, students receive targeted preparation for secondary school placement exams and engage in a high-school-level research project in tandem with their history class. The project culminates with an essay that blends narrative and analysis, telling a historical story while advancing a thesis.
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Fostering Holistic Growth Ask a Harlem Academy student about their day, and you’ll get more than just a list of classes. They might excitedly describe an upcoming improvisational theater performance, tap out a rhythm they mastered in percussion, show off a sculpture in progress, demonstrate a new soccer skill, or share a teambuilding challenge they took on in advisory.
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Above all, Harlem Academy has created an environment where my child has felt both challenged and deeply supported. We are incredibly grateful for everything the school has offered us.” Frankie Thompkins, Alumni Parent ’26
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
From percussion to printmaking. We guide students in developing foundational skills across arts disciplines, discovering new interests, and experiencing the joy of creating art. In partnership with our neighbor Harlem School of the Arts, students learn from professional teaching artists in specialized dance, theater, music, and art studios. Throughout the year, showcases provide opportunities for families to celebrate their children’s artistic growth. Students in second through fifth grade also engage in an in-depth exploration of works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They first discuss a range of pieces in the classroom before seeing them firsthand during museum visits, deepening their understanding and appreciation of the arts.
GRADE
FALL
WINTER
Kindergarten
Color & form I
First
Color & form II
Second
Illustration & 3-D art
Percussion
Improv Theater
Dance Third
Visual storytelling
Fourth
Comic art
Fifth
Mixed media
Middle School
Printmaking or Sculpture
SPRING
Keyboard
Painting or Comic art
Percussion or Hip-hop dance
Skylar ’28 proudly shares her artwork with her dad during the annual Visual Arts Showcase, celebrating creativity and growth.
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ADVISORY
There is clear intentionality behind providing a wellrounded experience.” Jayme Knight, Parent ’31
CHESS
Skills for the board – and life. With instruction woven into the weekly program for kindergarten through second grade, our vibrant chess culture fosters strategic thinking and perseverance.
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A healthy you is a happy you. Our comprehensive K-8 curriculum develops the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices and develop positive habits. Core areas of focus include emotional and mental health; personal health and wellness; safety, injury, and violence prevention; food and nutrition; physical activity; alcohol, drug, and tobacco prevention; and healthy relationships, growth and development, and sexual health (starting in fifth grade). Beyond understanding key health concepts, students develop essential skills around goal setting, decisionmaking, accessing information, analyzing influences, interpersonal communication, and self-advocacy.
Strong bodies, strong minds. Physical education at Harlem Academy builds motor skills and fitness as well as confidence, teamwork, and perseverance. Primary students participate in daily 35-minute sessions, while elementary and middle school students have longer sessions two or three times per week. The curriculum introduces a variety of exercises and activities, with four- to six-week units dedicated to a range of sports including soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
Our advisory program guides students in building meaningful connections, developing social-emotional skills, and creating a personal understanding of how our School Creed connects to their daily decisions and aspirations.
Growing alongside classmates. Primary and elementary students connect during a morning meeting, where they greet one another, share with the group, listen to others, and practice mindfulness. The day ends with a closing circle to reflect on what they’ve learned, celebrate achievements, share commendations, and say goodbye. These daily traditions instill a sense of accomplishment and belonging. In middle school, students meet in grade-level groups to develop practical skills, such as time management and organization. For our oldest students, advisory also focuses on secondary school placement and special initiatives designed to prepare them for the increasing independence and responsibilities of their next academic chapter. Eighth graders participate in our signature “High School Week” program, which simulates a high school environment with free periods, open campus privileges, increased academic demands, and less support. It is a chance for students to learn where they may struggle and develop strategies for managing increased independence.
Better together. In addition to grade-level advisory, middle school students meet three times per week in multi-age groups. They follow a three-year curriculum developed in-house that maps social and emotional learning concepts to the School Creed and pillars. Students also use this time for mindfulness, reflection, and preparing for annual middle school trips. Multi-age groupings foster community by building near-peer relationships, with younger students gaining confidence through friendships with older students and older students taking on leadership and mentorship roles.
Beyond our walls. Authors, researchers, scientists, architects, entrepreneurs, and other professionals regularly visit classrooms to bring real-world perspectives and experiences. Faculty also make use of New York City’s rich cultural and academic institutions as an extension of our classrooms. In the spring, middle school advisory groups participate in our signature (Re)Explore program, which challenges students to plan a field trip. Working within a budget and schedule, students design a full-day itinerary that includes visiting two boroughs, exploring an iconic landmark, studying an exhibit in a cultural institution, and sampling diverse cuisines. This project deepens social-emotional competencies as students collaborate to research, plan, and ultimately take the trip.
FOSTERING HOLISTIC GROWTH | 23
With an extended day until 5:45 p.m., students engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. Whether discovering a hidden talent or deepening an existing skill, students continue learning long after the final bell rings. The program grows with our students – starting with a choice block in kindergarten, expanding to a different option every day by second grade, and offering multiple choices each day in middle school.
SCHOOLWIDE
Checkmate! Chess is part of our core curriculum for students in kindergarten through second grade, but opportunities don't stop there. Students at all grade levels can join the chess team, where they receive tailored instruction based on skill and age and compete in matches with their peers. Team members put their skills to the test in weekend tournaments against other New York City schools, and the most dedicated players have the chance to compete in the state championship. These competitions help students learn to think ahead and approach each match with a strategic mindset – skills that serve students beyond the chessboard.
Finish homework. We encourage even our youngest learners to complete their homework independently. However, for all grades, teachers are available to answer questions and provide additional practice. The structured environment allows students to develop strong organization and time management skills, complete their work, and prepare for tests.
Connect with a mentor. Students can meet with a mentor weekly for academic extension activities such as writing, independent reading, and habit development. Mentors are thoughtfully assigned based on teacher recommendations and parent interest, providing students with individualized support to strengthen their academic foundation and holistic growth.
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The middle school track team competes against independent schools from across the city. Here, Blake ’26 races to the finish line, securing his spot in the Gotham Games Championship.
KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE
GRADES 6-8
After completing their homework, students enjoy a choice block where they can engage in activities that spark their curiosity, creativity, and independence. Activities may include arts and crafts, mancala, chess, quiet reading, puzzles, or outdoor play.
The middle school schedule offers flexibility, allowing students to pursue their interests and goals with guidance from advisors in making choices that advance academic and personal growth.
GRADES 2-5 Students participate in rotating enrichment activities led by full-time teachers.
¡Hola! Through interactive lessons, students in our Spanish enrichment explore traditions, celebrations, and notable figures from Spanish-speaking countries. This engaging approach builds an appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives while developing vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills.
Calling future scientists! In our STEM enrichment, students dive into hands-on projects that fuel their curiosity. This program advances problem-solving, innovation, and collaboration – essential skills for future scientists and engineers.
Creativity reigns. Our art enrichment nurtures creativity through guided projects in drawing, painting, mixed media, and music. Budding artists develop confidence, imaginative thinking, and an appreciation for the arts as they explore color, texture, and composition.
Go Harlem Academy! In the fall, our interscholastic cross-country team competes against other independent schools in a series of meets at the historic Van Cortlandt Park course. In the spring, our interscholastic track team competes in a variety of events, including sprints, distance runs, hurdles, shot put, and long jump.
Step into the limelight. Our theater club stages a winter musical, offering experience in both performing and behind-the-scenes set design. Students rehearse three times per week, building confidence and collaboration.
Problem solvers wanted! Our STEM club allows students to tackle real-world problems using trial and error, simple machine-building, and basic engineering principles. Our goal is to spark students’ intellectual curiosity by demonstrating that science is not an abstract set of concepts to memorize but an active process.
¿Qué tal? Our Spanish club allows middle schoolers to develop basic vocabulary, grammar, and real-world conversational skills through engaging topics and independent practice.
Game on!
Seeking storytellers.
Students stay active and learn sportsmanship and communication through board games, structured challenges, and sports. This program builds camaraderie, discipline, perseverance, and communication skills in a fun and engaging environment.
Our literary magazine club curates and publishes student poetry, stories, and photography. Each issue centers on a theme, challenging students to present their peers’ creative work in thoughtful and visually striking ways. Students gain experience in editing, design, and collaboration as they bring each edition to life.
The program allows my son to explore both his energy and creativity in a way that keeps him engaged, excited, and happy to stay at school each day.” Chrystina Casado, Parent ’34
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Launching Leaders Our graduates are thriving at top secondary schools and universities around the country and in early careers as Senate staffers, scientists, law school students, entrepreneurs, finance associates, nurses, therapists, and graphic designers – not to mention as full-time members of the Harlem Academy team! From navigating the placement process to landing a first job after college, we stay with our graduates every step of the way.
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Through Harlem Academy's dedication to community and its School Creed, I have carried these important values into my everyday life, staying grounded in my roots and the principles that have shaped me.” Kennedy Murray ’16, Bard Academy ’20, The George Washington University ’23, United States Senate Correspondence and Intern Coordinator
During the annual eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., alumnus Kennedy, who serves as a Senate staffer, welcomed students for a special behind-thescenes tour, inspiring the next generation of leaders.
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We advise and support our students as they consider their futures beyond Harlem Academy. Our goal at every stage is for each individual to nurture their talents, define their goals, and ultimately write their own, unique story. SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACEMENT At Harlem Academy, secondary school placement is a three-year partnership starting in sixth grade with the premise that admission to and success at a top secondary school is a shared responsibility among students, parents, and the school. Our goal is to ensure that every student is placed in a school that will challenge and support them in their continued academic and personal growth.
Choosing your path. Our process includes group meetings to introduce different secondary school models and the admissions process for each. Individual conferences help students refine their choices and set personal and academic goals to maximize their options. As students identify potential schools, our approach is radically transparent, grounded in the belief that students make the best decisions when they fully understand how their choices shape their opportunities. Our high school fair offers a wonderful opportunity for middle schoolers to meet with representatives from more than 40 high schools before we open the doors to the public.
both academic excellence and each student's holistic development. To supplement this, we begin standardized test preparation in seventh grade, providing access to Test Innovators for practice exams, real-time feedback, and targeted skillbuilding. In eighth grade, preparation continues through our skills seminar and a tutoring partnership with ArborBridge.
Sharing your story. Interview preparation and essay development are important components of our secondary school placement program. Seventh and eighth graders learn to share their stories and thoughtful selfreflections through classroom instruction and practice sessions with trained volunteers. In eighth grade, students work with their English teacher throughout the fall to craft personal statements and supplementary essays.
Hitting the road. We assist with transportation for school tours and interviews, helping students explore their options and find the best fit.
Acing the test.
Navigating the process.
The commitment that makes students strong members of Harlem Academy's community also makes them competitive applicants to selective high schools. That's why we continue to prioritize
Our team offers comprehensive support throughout the application and financial aid process, ensuring families have the guidance to navigate deadlines, submit materials, and make informed decisions.
Secondary School Enrollment Includes: Andover Brearley Browning Calhoun Chapin Church Farm Columbia Prep
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Dalton Deerfield Dominican Exeter Fieldston Fordham Prep Frederick Gunn
Friends Seminary Grace Church Horace Mann Hotchkiss HSAS-Lehman Kent Lawrenceville
Loomis Chaffee Marymount Miss Porter’s Nightingale NMH Packer Peddie
Riverdale Sacred Heart Spence St. Andrew's Trinity Trevor Westover
ALUMNI SUPPORT With more than 200 members and growing, our alumni pursue diverse paths but remain bound by a commitment to making a mark on the world. We strive to be a lifelong resource long after graduation, supporting alumni through high school, college, and into careers.
Staying connected. We check in regularly to share updates, celebrate achievements, and collaborate on challenges and new opportunities.
From campus to career. We offer support throughout the college application process, including developing a strong school list, preparing for standardized tests through our partners at ArborBridge, and crafting personal statements. Beyond college, we assist with finding internship and job opportunities to help alumni launch and grow their careers.
Meaningful traditions. At our annual Homecoming event, graduates welcome eighth graders into the alumni network and celebrate high school and college seniors as they take their next steps.
Giving back. As part of our graduation tradition, eighth graders say a final goodbye to the younger students before beginning their next chapter.
Many alumni return to support the next generation – whether speaking in classrooms, mentoring students, or serving on our junior board. It’s a fullcircle representation of meeting our mission: for students to thrive at the highest academic level and make their mark on the world!
College Enrollment Includes: American Binghamton Brown BU Carnegie Mellon Case Western Cornell
Dartmouth Fordham GW Georgetown Hamilton Hampton Hartford
Haverford Hobart Holy Cross Howard Lafayette Lehigh Miami (FL)
Morehouse Northeastern Northwestern NYU Oberlin Pitzer Princeton
RPI Rochester Sarah Lawrence Skidmore Smith Spelman Stanford
Syracuse Tufts Tulane Union UPenn Wesleyan Yale
LAUNCHING LEADERS | 29
54 zip codes
72
%
64
countries where our families have roots
22
%
average class size
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acceptance rate
square-foot building
1/2
acre campus
85% 94%
earn scholarships to independent secondary schools
8
alumni have returned to join our team
23 states
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matriculate to four-year colleges and universities
11
countries
where alumni studied during college
Celebrations of Learning, allowing students ample opportunity to practice public speaking 31
655 St. Nicholas Avenue New York, NY 10030 harlemacademy.org 212.348.2600
School Creed INITIATIVE
I am bold and creative. I take opportunities to lead. I seek help when I need it. INTEGRITY
I am honest and reflective. I choose to do what is right, Even when it is hard or no one is watching. COMPASSION
I listen carefully. I speak kindly. I care for my community. DETERMINATION
I make the most of each day. I learn from my mistakes. I don’t give up.