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Posted by on Monday, March 7, 2016

“Chess improves my focus,” says eighth grader Miles. “Also my problem solving and time management.”

Even for beginners, chess is more than just a game. It requires critical thinking, composure, and sportsmanship. Studies show that chess strengthens core academic skills.1 ”Chess teaches them to slow down and think before they do something,” says Alexis Viele, third grade teacher. “They consider the consequences before taking action, and have to deal with any mistakes Read more...

Tags: chess, lower school, middle school, electives

Why do Families Choose Harlem Academy?

Posted by on Monday, March 7, 2016

A choice like no other in this community “I had my child in five schools before we found Harlem Academy. None of them were pushing my son to grow. The situation in my district, it was just sad.” - Fifth grade parent All New York City parents know the stress of finding the right school for their children. In Harlem, the South Bronx, and Washington Heights, however, the challenge is even greater. More than 80% of local students are failing, and local public and charter schools must focus on Read more...

Tags: family partnership, school choice

Connecting Young Readers to Nonfiction

Posted by on Monday, March 7, 2016

Leveraging curiosity to build nonfiction reading skills and set a foundation for critical thinking Each day, lower school teachers and students spend an hour focused on locating information, summarizing important facts, isolating the main idea, and using text-based evidence to support a conclusion. Harlem Academy fourth-grader Benjamin loves science fiction. When he discovered in his nonfiction unit that his favorite books are based on real science, he started reading more science books. “ Read more...

Tags: lower school, English

A Trusted Adviser and Role Model

Posted by on Sunday, March 6, 2016

Clifford Alexander with Harlem Academy's eighth grade class.

Clifford Alexander with Harlem Academy eighth graders.

Clifford Alexander to speak at Harlem Academy's Spring Benefit on April 28 Mr. Alexander spent decades in public service as a counselor to U.S. Presidents and as a champion of civil rights. An attorney and businessman, he was born and raised in Harlem. He attended Fieldston School, then Harvard where he was president of the Student Council, and Yale where he received his law degree. In July 1963, he was Read more...

Tags: Spring Benefit, history

Making the Most of Summer

Posted by on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Three students look over balcony at Vassar.

Eight Harlem Academy students earned full scholarships to attend summer programs for gifted students at Exeter, Vassar, and Yale.

Manny, Malik, and A.J. at the Summer Institute for the Gifted at Vassar.

This past summer, eight of our middle school students accepted full scholarships to attend academic programs for gifted students at Phillips Exeter Academy, Vassar College, and Yale University. These highly selective opportunities let them sample schedules and a breadth Read more...

Tags: summer, boarding school

A New Approach to U.S. History

Posted by on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Mr. Robertson leading a discussion with the Class of 2015.

Harlem Academy’s U.S. History course begins with “The Boston Massacre,” the famous etching by Paul Revere. From the image students understand the story – the slaughter of citizens, the abuse of power, the massacre that triggered a revolution. But then they read the first-hand accounts from local leaders, the British commander, and other witnesses. Suddenly the story is less clear: soldiers accosted by the Read more...

Tags: middle school, history

Celebrating Our Fourth Commencement

Posted by on Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Harlem Academy Class of 2015

Last Friday, we celebrated our fourth commencement and welcomed 14 new members of the alumni into the ranks. After thanking the families for their partnership in the work with their students, Head of School Vinny Dotoli invited the class to lead the program. In front of students, families, supporters, and staff, each graduate introduced one of their classmates, capturing reflections from their teachers and families about how they Read more...

Tags: alumni

Visiting a Top Research University

Posted by on Friday, June 12, 2015

Students work on building an automated watering system for plants out of discarded computer parts.

The Harlem Academy middle school recently traveled to Troy, N.Y., to spend three days on campus at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The annual visit, called Collaboration for Innovation, is intended to inspire students in the STEM disciplines. Students have the opportunity to work with professors, visit the Hirsch Observatory, stay overnight in college dorms, and hear Read more...

Tags: middle school, STEM, college, trips

Check Mate

Posted by on Friday, June 5, 2015

This year, with the help of Chess NYC, Harlem Academy has set up a program to teach all of our students this classic game. National Chess Master Majur Juac leads classes with students from every grade, with each class meeting with him for one hour each week. Mr. Juac teaches students the basic rules of chess and then moves into strategy and maneuvers. Chess is a fun way to encourage planning, concentration, and problem solving. We have extended the program into next school year, adding an Read more...

Tags: chess, electives

Harlem Academy Alumna and the 9/11 Museum Ambassador Program

Posted by on Thursday, May 21, 2015

Wassa Bagayoko '13 on the left. Photo courtesy of Jin Lee and the 9/11 Memorial.

On Monday May 18, Harlem Academy alumna Wassa Bagayoko graduated from a special internship program for high school students at the 9/11 Museum. The 9/11 Museum’s Ambassador Program provides 10th through 12th graders with an in depth, semester-long look into the events of 9/11 and their commemoration. Students participate in seminars on what led up to the terrorist attacks, the aftermath Read more...

Tags: alumni, history

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