Harlem Academy

Harlem Academy rocked an amazing orientation with strong participation from students and families across all three divisions as we gear up for the first day of classes on Tuesday, September 3.

We are honored to be included in "Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill: Alexander Hamilton's Old Harlem Neighborhood Through the Centuries" and to be part of the fabric of such an inspiring neighborhood. Swipe to read some of what Davida Siwisa James wrote about Harlem Academy... and buy her book to read the rest!

With the first day of school approaching fast, we are looking back on some of our favorite moments from the 2023-24 school year. From D.C. to the eclipse to little moments in the classroom, our teachers make learning fun and meaningful. We can’t wait to see everyone's smiling faces on campus soon!

After Friday's Back to School Fair, we are even more excited to welcome everyone back! From pony rides to bounce houses to crafts, it was wonderful to welcome the community and see our campus filled with so much joy and laughter. Thanks to everyone who contributed to such a special event!

HA Families: We have 190 incredible students enrolled for this school year, with a limited number of spots available in a few classes for this September. You are our best source for referrals, so if you know a student who might be a good fit for our community, please have them contact us at [email protected] to learn more.

Get ready to kick off the school year with a day of fun, learning, and community building. Join us on Friday, August 16 at our Back-to-School Fair. There will be something for everyone – free books, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and more. We can't wait to celebrate with you! Click the link to RSVP. https://bit.ly/3yxDLff

Recent graduate Kaytin '24 filled us in on her hopes for high school at Westover, a premiere all-girls boarding school in Connecticut. She knew Westover was the place for her after a visit. "I felt really comfortable," she says. "The students and teachers there are close, and it's a very supportive community – just like at Harlem Academy." Click the link to read more of Kaytin's story! https://bit.ly/4c36GWe

We recently caught up with Drew Roberts ’20, who applied to several historically black colleges and universities. Spelman was at the top of her list. “I’m beyond excited that I was accepted,” she says. “Spelman is one of the top HBCUs. It’s very competitive and the students are extremely hardworking women.” U.S. News & World report agrees, ranking Spelman College as the No. 1 HBCU in the nation. Congratulations, Drew! Click the link to read more of Drew's story. https://bit.ly/4bIaA6M

Hope your summer is off to a great start and is filled with as much spirit as last week’s field day! Click to see a few of our favorite moments and fourth grader Kadiatu’s determination paying off when she makes a winning basket. Congratulations to the orange team on their win. 🧡💙

Congratulations to the class of 2024! We've watched our eighth graders grow from young students with promise to leaders who bring talent, determination, and character to all they do. Read more about our end-of-year traditions and see some of our favorite moments from graduation and the graduate dinner! http://bit.ly/4c991Q5

Today is the day! Our 8th-grade class is graduating; we could not be more proud! The final pair we are celebrating is Sebastian and Maksym. We can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

Happy ! Today, we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and honor the resilience and strength of the Black community. This day reminds us of the importance of equality and justice, how far we have come as a country, and how far we still need to go. We are committed to uplifting stories of Black excellence and, in turn, uplifting the voices of our students.

Today we are celebrating Taylor and Kadin! We are so proud of your hard work and can't wait to see what you accomplish next.

On Friday, we celebrated all the wonderful dads and father figures in our students’ lives at our annual Pancakes for Pops event. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Our students had the best time!

Today we are celebrating Khodi and Jevon! We are so proud of your hard work and can't wait to see what you accomplish next.

Thank you to the volunteers from Sixth Street Partners for spending time with our students picking out new books, making fun bookmarks, and playing at recess. They had a blast! You made the last few weeks of school even more special.

Congratulations to our elementary and primary students on their amazing theater performances last week! Students worked hard this trimester to script and choreograph original plays, and we are so proud of their creativity and confidence. Click to hear some spectacular evil laughs. Thank you The Harlem School of the Arts for your partnership!

Meet our next spotlight pair, Kyoncée and Jayden. We are so proud of your hard work and can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

The middle school Shakespeare elective’s rendition of Much Ado About Nothing left the audience in awe! The joyous and humorous performance showcased our talented students’ deep understanding of the play and impressive acting skills. Thank you to Mr. Bell, Ms. Massie, Ms. Cooper '14, and Classical Theatre of Harlem for all you did to make the performance possible!

We couldn't be prouder of the class of 2024. This fall, they will be heading to top secondary schools where they will continue to grow academically, discover new interests, and contribute to their communities. Read more in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/3KvUcec

Today we are celebrating, Kaytin and Chase. We are so proud of your hard work and can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

Last month, we welcomed Carol Sutton Lewis , founder of Ground Control Parenting, for an informative and inspiring conversation as part of our ongoing commitment to family partnership and sharing strategies to nurture excellence. Click here to read more: https://bit.ly/4c18Qpy

Every year, HA trustee and former docent Annie MacRae takes our elementary students on a tour of the Met. This year, students had the chance to draw in the Astor Court Scholar’s Garden, take in the details of the famous painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” view the intricate mural “Buddha of Medicine Bhaishajyaguru,” and so much more.

Exciting news! A few of our students were recently featured in the Huffington Post as participants in Harlem School of the Arts' Bridgerton-themed 60th anniversary gala. This recognition not only underscores the depth of our partnership with Harlem School of the Arts but also showcases the exceptional talent and dedication of our students. Click here to read more about it https://bit.ly/3X458Hw

Congratulations to the following students:

Raiyi '32 - dance
Skylah '26 - dance
Dylan '26 - dance
Issys '26 - musical theater
Lekia '25 - art

Today’s Personal Library Day was a blast! Thank you to the volunteers from Raith Capital Partners - all of our primary students left smiling with a new book in hand!

Meet our next spotlight pair, Chad and Ava. We are so proud of your hard work and can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

We love to hear news from our alumni as they make their way in the world. Each of these students came to Harlem Academy with tremendous potential. Today, they are leveraging that education to make a difference. Your gift will provide critical support for our transformational program and help more future leaders have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Please make a gift to our Campaign for Today, Tomorrow, and the Future. https://bit.ly/3TMJjaa