Electives

Electives offer middle schoolers an opportunity to take initiative and pursue their individualized interests and goals, with advisors supporting them in making choices that support growth,  excellence, and wellness. Electives are held four times per week, and generally include the following options. 

LOWER SCHOOL SERVICE

This is an opportunity for students to give back to their school and practice role-modeling, organization, and leadership. Students collaborate with the elective’s advisor in splitting into small teams to help grades one through four during their arts/athletics blocks. 

PERFORMANCE 

Musical: Students experience the hard work and dedication it takes to be part of a play, as well as the joy and exhilaration of a job well done. Students learn lines, songs, stage directions, and perhaps even some choreography. 
 
Shakespeare: Elective participants study a Shakespeare play in depth and produce and perform an abridged version of the entire play. 

ATHLETICS

Boot Camp: This is a fitness course designed to test resilience, strength, stamina, and quick decision-making skills. We engage in various stretches, exercises and routines that work towards developing strength, stamina, and flexibility. 

Sports: Students learn basic fundamentals of a variety of sports and the common traits for success in any endeavor - teamwork, commitment, sacrifice, work ethic, and discipline. Sports may include running, soccer, flag-football, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, and more! 

ARTS 

Fashion design: Students are introduced to fashion design theories, principles, and techniques and learn the art of sketching, pattern drafting, and sewing.

Printmaking: Students will learn different ways to do print-making, exploring line, area, contrast, positive and negative space, overlapping forms, layering, mirroring, and patterns.

Comic book creation:
Students bring together original characters and plots in this introductory comic book illustration class, improving their character development, story writing, and illustration skills.

Justice Dandridge ‘19

Taking the elective gives me an extra chance to explore Shakespeare beyond the page. Acting out the literature rather than just reading it is interesting and helps me understand what’s going on. That’s what we do in class, and it’s fun to do more of it when we’re not in class.
Harlem Academy
655 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY, 10030


P (212) 348-2600
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info@harlemacademy.org

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Harlem Academy is an independent school (grades K-8) that drives equity of opportunity for promising students, guiding them to thrive at the highest academic levels and one day make a mark on the world.