2014-2015 Annual report

1 Philanthropic donations cover 85% of Harlem Academy’s operating costs. Message from Board Chairman & Head of School

Our goal is to be the most transformational school in .

Children from low-income households enter first grade with only half the vocabulary of their middle- class peers. We designed our curriculum to reduce the gap, and the results have been transformational. Last year, the median vocabulary score for our eighth grade students was in the 99th percentile. Our students are graduating with the strongest vocabularies in the nation.

Our graduates are thriving at some of the finest secondary schools in the nation, including Spence, Chapin, Riverdale, and Hotchkiss.

None of this would happen without the generous support of our donors. Tuition currently covers approximately 15% of the cost per student. We are very grateful for our donors who supply the additional 85% annually. On behalf of the students, families, teachers, and staff, we thank you.

The impact of your gifts and the school’s growth this past year will continue in the pages of the 2014–2015 Annual Report.

Sincerely,

David B. Peterson Vincent A. Dotoli Chairman, Board of Trustees Head of School

3 Harlem Academy serves 120 students in grades one through eight. who we serve

who we serve

Harlem Academy focuses on bright, motivated children from low-income families. % We move students from 97 above average to excelling % of our students need 91 significant scholarships and prepare them for success of our students come from to attend. Harlem, South Bronx, and at top secondary schools. Washington Heights.

81% $24,083 $2.8M

of incoming THE AVERAGE LAST YEAR, HARLEM students qualify for SCHOLARSHIP WAS $24,083 ACADEMY PROVIDED $2.8 Million public housing. OF THE $27,097 TUITION. in scholarships.

5 Jada Cooper at the 2014 Harlem Academy graduation ceremony. who weprofile serve

Jada Cooper ‘14

Confident Graduates Tackling New Challenges

Jada Cooper points out that horses were not part Jada chose boarding school because she loved of her life growing up in Harlem. But now she the summer program she attended at Exeter regularly finds herself in the stables at the Putney while a Harlem Academy student. She enjoyed the School, feeding horses and mucking out stalls. independence she found there, the responsibility for managing her own time, and the opportunity She hadn’t expected this when she started at the to try new things in a different setting. Vermont boarding school last fall, but riding is popular there, and she got interested right away. When asked about what it is like to have Jada “Everyone talks about horses,” she said, “and away at boarding school, her mother Andolynn most students have their own.” She started going Lewis said, “I’m comfortable with it because she is to the barn in her free time and helping out. “You comfortable with it. Everybody has to pitch in at have to be completely responsible for the horses the school, and Jada really embraces that.” – you groom them, feed them every day, and keep the stalls clean,” she said. The program leaders After just one year at Putney, Jada is thriving, noticed her commitment and invited her to give both in and out of the classroom. “All the little riding a try. things Harlem Academy does to prepare you for high school are helpful,” Jada said. By the spring semester, Jada had learned to ride, “You don’t realize until you’re there, and even jump, and her scholarship was expanded to you already know what you’re doing. include a horse-share. “In the beginning it was ” scary,” she said. “I had the biggest horse at the school. But soon I was riding the trails everyday, and I’m really looking forward to doing it again this year.”

7 93% of parents gave Harlem Academy a strong rating for the teaching of reading, writing, math, and scientific reasoning. results

Academic Excellence

Year-to-Year Change 40%

30% s t

20% uden t

% of s 10% 2014

2015 0% 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-99

National percentile rank (ERB CTP4) 11 The median vocabulary percentile points score for the Class of 2015 97% was the 99th percentile. of Harlem Academy On average, students gain students scored above the 11 percentile points in their national median. first year at Harlem Academy.

9 Kyle ’12 and Nathaniel ’15 arriving at Stony Brook for the start of the 2015-16 school year. who weprofile serve

Kyle ‘12 & Nathaniel Broomes ‘15

Navigating Secondary School Admissions

Kyle Broomes ’12 is a thriving senior at the Stony Brook “The process was strenuous,” said Mrs. Broomes. School. This year, his brother Nathaniel ’15 is joining “But Mr. Dotoli was very hands-on in guiding us. him as a freshman. But back when Kyle started his Having a head of school that connected, showing secondary school search, the Broomes family was that much care — it’s rare to see.” in uncharted territory.

For three years, Kyle has succeeded at Stony Brook. For most Harlem Academy families, this is their first “He still sees material from Harlem Academy in classes,” experience with the highly competitive secondary school said Mrs. Broomes. He is a strong student, participates admissions process. We start families in sixth grade with in the life of the school, and has built a good group a series of meetings to understand the options, outlining of friends. the differences between boarding, day, parochial, and public schools and the requirements for admission. Then, Now Nathaniel ’15 has joined him. In just his first week, working with each family, we help them develop a list of Nathaniel wrote to thank his former math teacher for potential schools. how much he recognized and for how well the “tricks” she’d taught him still worked. Over the next two years, families explore local schools, and teachers take them to visit boarding schools. Volunteers “He seems to have transitioned well,” said his mother. work with students on interview practice and test “Kyle’s friends want to help him and make sure he’s preparation. Staff members work with admissions officers alright. Kyle does pick on him sometimes,” she laughed, to clarify interest and access to scholarships. And then “but the boys are mostly supportive of each other. we coach families through the complex application and There is good camaraderie at the school.” financial aid forms, helping them to do everything they can to maximize their chances.

11 Only 12% of our incoming students are eligible for selective admissions opportunities. By the time they graduate this grows to 60%. results

Secondary School Placement

“Harlem Academy offers its students more than Graduate Placement 2012-2015 opportunities for admission to some of the finest secondary schools in the nation—it instills in them the confidence that they belong there. It does take Selective Public confidence to insist that one is capable of achieving and Other remarkable things, irrespective of one’s starting point. 18% ” Boarding Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President 32% Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Catholic 24% THE AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FOR STUDENTS AT INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IS Independent $42,000 Day 26% per ye ar .

Schools Harlem Academy Graduates Attend

Independent Day School s Boarding School s Catholic School s Selective Public School s

Brooklyn Friends Burr and Burton Academy (VT) All Hallows High School High School of American Studies The School at Church Farm (PA) Bishop Loughlin Memorial Humanities Preparatory Academy High School Holderness School (NH) Center for Science Marymount School The Hotchkiss School (CT) Cardinal Hayes High School and Math Professional Children’s School The Kiski School (PA) Cristo Rey High School Manhattan Village Academy Peddie School (NJ) Purnell School (NJ) St. Jean Baptiste High School Trevor Day School The Putney School (VT) York Prep School The Stony Brook School (NY)

13 Mencia-De Leon family at Harlem Academy, Mr. Mencia, Manny ‘18, Mrs. De Leon, and José ‘14. profile

The Mencia–De Leon Family

Partnering with Families

Liana De Leon remembers the day she found Harlem Nine years later, Manny continues in sixth grade, Academy. She was unhappy with the school that her following a summer in the gifted program at Vassar then seven-year-old son, José Mencia, was attending. College. José has graduated from Harlem Academy She came to an information session in Harlem and is on track for college. Academy’s library, and as soon as it was finished she said, “I don’t know what it will take, but that’s the “I think the reason that José has been able school I want for my sons.” to adapt and succeed in his new school is because of the foundation,” said Mrs. De Leon. That fall, José joined Harlem Academy’s second grade, Like many Harlem Academy alumni, he stays connected and his younger brother Manny followed soon after. to his former mentors, and reaches back when he needs help. “When he knows something is going on, he “From the beginning,” said Mrs. De Leon, “all of the says, ‘What time are you guys picking Manny up?’ And parents talked about how we are supported by the he will come along so he can talk with his old teachers.” staff and the teachers. Even when there are challenges, the teachers, the advisors, Mr. Dotoli — everyone is “José still calls himself a Harlem Academy scholar, even paying attention, everyone listens. They even respond above his high school,” said Mr. Mencia. over vacations. They are always there.” “This is what I’ve been telling other parents,” said Mrs. Mrs. De Leon and Mr. Mencia embraced the partnership, De Leon. “I’ve seen it. I know how well José is doing, and worked with the school, and the boys thrived. it’s because of the structure, the values, the creed — he still follows the Harlem Academy creed all the time.”

15 Our team is driven by a dedication to continuous improvement; each year we seek feedback from parents, graduates, and teachers. feedback

Alumni

I was totally prepared for science because of all the chances “for us to create our own experiments and complete lab reports. Alexandria Brown, Class of 2014 ”

When surveyed about their preparation in core academic areas and organization, graduates 92% felt “prepared” or “extremely prepared,” with an average rating of 4.1 on a scale of 5. of alumni returned to The fact that Harlem Academy had challenging homework Harlem Academy to “assignments thoroughly prepared me for my experience. … I find attend an event last year. myself being ahead of my honors class pace. Dylan Brown, Class of 2013 ”

Families

The staff at Harlem Academy are very energetic and “knowledgeable, and we, as parents, feel that our students will be able to compete and excel in their academic endeavors. Seventh Grade Parent ”

Families gave Harlem Academy an average score of 4.3 on scale of 1 to 5 when surveyed 100% about how well the school is meeting its mission. of families attended My child truly enjoys his days at school. When asked, both fall and spring “‘How was your day?’ be prepared for a detailed story conferences last year. from start to finish. Third Grade Parent ”

17 financials

Harlem Academy has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating for 4 consecutive years.

ASSETS

ASSETS 2014-15 TOTAL 2013-14 TOTAL

Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,022,181 $1,200,544

Receivables and Long-Term Pledges 10,359,947 11,185,110

Other Assets 133,106 95,579

Property and Equipment 10,275,065 10,070,667

TOTAL ASSETS $21,790,299 $22,551,900

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

LIABILITIES 2014-15 TOTAL 2013-14 TOTAL

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $145,322 $124,279

Deferred Tuition 47,567 34,350

Loan Payable 4,463,848 7,600,000

NET ASSETS

Unrestricted 6,985,954 3,593,171

Temporarily Restricted 10,058,518 11,111,010

Permanently Restricted 89,090 89,090

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $21,790,299 $22,551,900 financials

2014-2015 Statement of Activities

$257,727

$471,484 EXPENSES

$3,198,759 Program Services Management Fundraising $2,469,548

$72,191 $367,597 ANNUAL OPERATIONS INCOME

Annual Fund Support* Program Revenue $3,255,390 Public Funding

$2,815,602 *Includes unrestricted new gifts and this year's portion of previously committed multi-year gifts.

$72,191 $367,597 TOTAL NEW INCOME

Annual Fund Support Commitments Toward Permanent Campus $5,539,050 Program Revenue $2,292,557 Public Funding

$2,806,705

19 Donors

Permanent Campus

In February 2014, we purchased a 20,000-square-foot lot at 655 St. Nicholas The Allen Family Foundation

Avenue that will eventually house Harlem Academy’s permanent home. This Anonymous

move will allow Harlem Academy to better meet its mission by serving more Tony and Regan Asnes students in expanded facilities. Pam Clarke Mr. and Mrs. Will Cook

Friends of Bray Family Academy Located in Central Harlem, the new site is proximal to Harlem, the Bronx, Mary Ganzenmuller and and Washington Heights, the neighborhoods where most of our families the A.K. Starr Charitable Trust

reside. It has excellent access to public transit, including A, B, C, and D Valerie Hing and Ari Raisa trains and numerous bus lines. Mark and Sarah Johnston Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

The Cat MacRae Fund Harlem Academy extends tremendous gratitude toward the donors listed Durga Mallampalli here. Their gifts made possible the first steps toward a permanent home and Catherine and John Nathan the establishment of an endowment. The commitment and leadership they Mr. David B. Peterson have shown help ensure the future of Harlem Academy and strengthen our Rafael Viñoly Architects

ability to make a difference in the lives of our students and community. Tom and Sera Reycraft

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schaps

Robert and Laura Sillerman

Timothy Speiss

Hillary and Brett Thomas donor listings

“The school provides parents the opportunity to partner with teachers and staff to help students grow and benefit from the strong academic program.” Fifth Grade Parent

21 Donors

Annual Fund Donors

$100,000+ The Andrew K. Dwyer Foundation Mr. Matthew A. Baxter Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Aresty

Anonymous (3) Mr. Robert R. Dyson BJ's Charitable Gift Fund The Brick Presbyterian Church Mr. David B. Peterson Edith Glick Shoolman Children's The Carmel Hill Fund Mr. Benjamin J. Bray Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schaps Deutsche Bank Trust Company NY Mr. John Brus The Heisman Trust Robert and Laura Sillerman Falconhead Foundation Mr. Christopher R. Clarke Dale and Elizabeth Hemmerdinger Mr. Chris Hart-Zafra Community Service $50,000-$99,000 Dr. Shirley A. Jackson and Hyde and Watson Foundation Dr. Morris Washington Con Edison Altman Foundation Ms. Kerri S. Scharlin and Mark and Sarah Johnston Vincent J. and Louisa S. Dotoli Arcadia Charitable Trust Mr. Peter Klosowicz Mr. and Mrs. William Koenigsberg Evercore Partners Services East LLC BIC Corporation Mr. George S. Loening Mr. and Mrs. David Lasry Lucia and David Greenhouse Credit Suisse Americas Foundation Dr. Joyce H. Lowinson Mike & Aly Levine Mr. and Mrs. John Harrison Harry Winston Hope Foundation Ms. Lucia N. Musso Lincoln Fund Ann and Cameron MacRae The Garrett and Mary Moran Cat MacRae Fund I am bold and creative. Family Foundation Tom and Sera Reycraft Catherine and John Nathan I take opportunities to lead. Hillary and Brett Thomas Ms. Joan Ganz Cooney and Tsunami Foundation - Anson and Mr. Peter G. Peterson I seek help when I need it. Debra Beard, Jr. and Family Mr. Jeremy Raccio and Ms. Sadia Halim

Serenbetz Family Foundation Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Nadosy Mrs. Jane Iwanowski $20,000-$49,000 Turner Construction Company Mr. and Mrs. John Pyne The John Buck Company Anonymous (2) Van Wagner Communications, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Schaps Mr. Daniel Kabat and The Catherine and Joseph Aresty Ms. Catherine O'Dwyer Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidlin $10,000-$19,999 Mr. David Klafter and Tony and Regan Asnes Zach and Lori Schreiber Ms. Nancy Kestenbaum Mr. Peter Arnold and Mr. and Mrs. Will Cook Paul Simon Mrs. Colleen Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Magyar John P. and Constance A. Curran Mr. Jay D. Bargmann and $5,000-$9,999 Mr. John Massoni III Charitable Foundation Ms. Cindy Potash The Actuarial Foundation Mr. John McEnroe and Dana Foundation Ms. Patty Smyth donors

Mebane Charitable Foundation, Inc. Ms. Valarie A. Hing and Mr. Ari Raisa $1,000-$2,499 Mr. Charles P. Durkin, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Newman Alexandra and Philip Howard Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eberhart Henson and Susan Orser John Jendras and Judith Paice Mr. Henry C. Barkhorn Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Fisher Michael and Elena Patterson John R. and Dorothy D. Caples Fund Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Beck J. Christopher Flowers Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Piscina Ms. Bucky Keady Mr. and Mrs. Rodman W. Benedict Mr. Adam Fritz

Linda and Michael Purvis The Walter C. Klein Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dave Bicks Mr. and Mrs. Jack Geary

Mr. Elliott Rebhun Ms. Kari McCabe and Mrs. Jane Bierwirth Mr. and Mrs. Bill Geist Mr. Nate McBride Mr. and Mrs. Vance Schipani Mr. and Mrs. Leo P. Blackford Pippa and Robert Gerard Lizzie McCowen Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Selman Elizabeth Bradham Mrs. Sarah Gillespie Joan Millspaugh Mr. Edward Simon Mr. and Mrs. Doug Broadwater Mrs. Bruce Gimbel Amy and Patrick Mooney Mr. Timothy Speiss Mr. and Mrs. George Bunn Mr. Michael Glennon and Ms. Lolly Mozersky Ms. Lucy Reed Mr. Simon Wedgebury Mr. and Mrs. Michael Burrows A.J. and Roswitha Mueller Mr. Richard Waldhorn and Ms. Cathy Buxton $2,500-$4,999 Vincent Mulford Foundation Ms. Jamie S. Gorelick Dr. Margarita Calderon Mr. and Mrs. James Grant Mr. and Mrs. Adam Abelson Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Newberg Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Arledge I am honest and reflective. Ms. Judy Carmel I choose to do what is right Ms. Pam Clarke Ms. Anne d'Avenas and Even when it is hard or no one is watching. Mr. Jerry Brody

Ms. Robin Donath and Anne and Jacques Nordeman Mrs. Dupre C. Cochran Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gray Jr. Mr. Patrick McNeive Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Perez Mr. Andrew Codispoti Mr. Ken Grossman Vinny and Traci Dotoli Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rabinowitz Ms. Phillippa Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Keith Gwozdz Ms. Brenda Earl Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rascoff Anne Cook Conze Mr. and Mrs. John Hays Mr. Chip Farrar The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation Ms. Patricia Cook Mr. Hermann Hesse Mr. and Mrs. George Freeman Mark Tashjian and Erin Kaufman Mr. Paul Danforth Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hilal Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ganzenmuller Mr. Christopher Todd Mr. and Mrs. James Davidson Natasha and Ori Hofmekler Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gemus Mr. and Mrs. Philip W. Warner Jr. Ms. Susan DeVore Mrs. and Mr. Donna L. Holden Ms. Jill Hemphill Mr. John T. Dolman Ms. Caroline Holl

23 Donors

Mr. Reaz Islam Ms. Betsy S. Michel Ms. Mary V. Eastman Scott Ms. Ana Djordjevic Mr. Perry Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. Marc Miller Shapiro Pertnoy Companies EisnerAmper Mr. and Mrs. David Juracich Hector H. Mislavsky and Judy Martinez Ms. Karen Snow Gary and Mercedes Eustache Ms. Allison Karn Morgan Stanley Foundation Mr. John S. Squires and Ms. Kristen Fisher Mrs. Katharine S. Squires Mr. and Mrs. Dean M. Karrel Ms. Susana Namnum Ms. Wendy Flanagan and Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Tarnoff Mr. Christopher O'Malley Mr. Douglas Karrel Mr. and Mrs. Scott I. Oakford Mr. Conra