Welcome to Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) Promise Academy! We are a top-performing K-12 charter school within HCZ’s cradle-to-career pathway of comprehensive, no-cost services.
When scholars join our community, we promise to do whatever it takes to get them to and through college. Everything we do — from quality instruction to exceptional extracurricular activities to healthy, home-cooked meals — is designed to keep that promise.
Since the opening of HCZ Promise Academy I in 2004 and HCZ Promise Academy II in 2005, we’ve made an enormous impact on our young people. We’ve enrolled nearly 100% of our scholars in college; we’ve closed the achievement gap; and we’ve helped our graduates build successful careers and become conscientious citizens.
At the same time, we’ve transformed the landscape of education in our country, redefining what’s possible for communities like ours.
We hope you’ll consider joining the Promise community — whether as a family who dreams of sending your scholar to college; an educator who’s passionate about empowering young people; or a donor who wants to fuel our work and mission. Together, we can build on the success of our scholars, our school, and our Promise community for years to come.
Dr. Saskia Brown
Superintendent, HCZ Promise Academy Charter Schools and Early Childhood Programs
Shannon Benson
Deputy Superintendent, Promise Academy Charter Schools
Our Schools
HCZ Promise Academy Charter Schools constitute three distinct but interconnected schools in Central Harlem.
- Promise Academy I High, Middle, and Elementary School (245 West 129th Street)
- Promise Academy II High School and Middle School (35 East 125th Street)
- Promise Academy II Elementary School (70 East 112th Street)
Our Approach
We address the “whole child” — doing whatever it takes to ensure our scholars get to and through college, build successful careers, and reach their true potential. We offer free tuition, access to technology, uniforms, and much more.
Quality instruction
Scholars reach their full potential through a relentless focus on academic excellence. Scholars enjoy an extended school day and year, ensuring their success in core subject areas — math, language arts, history, social studies, and the sciences. Scholars are taught by leading educators in cutting-edge facilities designed for interactive learning.
Quality instruction
School Supplies
From notebooks to calculators to backpacks — and even laptops! — we provide our scholars with everything they need to be their best at school. This also includes access to top-of-the-line learning technology such as science equipment, musical instruments, and media and broadcasting tools.
School Supplies
Exceptional extracurricular and after-school activities
Scholars' experiences both inside — and outside — the classroom are key to their academic and personal growth. To that end, they enjoy a range of extracurricular and after-school activities, from athletics and the arts to civics and wellness, along with access to the vast cultural opportunities New York City has to offer.
Exceptional extracurricular and after-school activities
Nutritious meals
Proper nutrition is key to fueling healthy minds and bodies. That’s why our scholars enjoy nutritious, home-cooked meals served up by our executive chef and exceptional Food Services team.
Nutritious meals
Social-emotional learning
Social-emotional learning is steeped in our school culture and drives our practices and policies. Scholars learn about self-awareness, responsible decision making, conflict management, and other critical life skills. Trained social workers and guidance counselors provide individualized support to scholars, and they share expertise with parents and staff to ensure coordinated support to scholars at home and at school.
Social-emotional learning
College readiness
Our scholars leave school ready to thrive in college and their careers. From the time they’re in kindergarten, scholars learn the importance of college; as juniors and seniors, they prepare for their post-secondary journey with advanced placement courses, college exposures, and internships with leading companies. Our College Success Office provides guidance on their journey.
College readiness
Comprehensive Services
Promise Academy exists within HCZ’s pathway of comprehensive, cradle-to-career services. As such, scholars benefit from a wide variety of programs: nutrition education through Healthy Harlem, social services, foster care prevention, and after-school support, with additional opportunities that put our scholars on the same playing field as children from more affluent communities.
Comprehensive Services
Data-driven approach
Data drives everything we do. Armed with real-time data on our scholars’ academic progress and social development, we design actionable plans tailored to the unique needs of each child and confront any challenges that might hinder their success.
Data-driven approach
We will go to college. We will succeed. This is our promise. This is our creed.
Promise Academy Creed
Our Impact
20
Classes have graduated from Promise
900+
Promise scholars are currently in college
1,300+
Promise scholars have graduated from college
Enroll
At HCZ Promise Academy, we enroll scholars as young as 3 and all the way to age 11.
Scholars aged 3 are encouraged to apply now so that they can be guaranteed a spot in kindergarten at HCZ Promise Academy.
Scholars ages 4-11 who apply are placed on a waitlist and, if accepted, will join HCZ Promise Academy in the fall.
There is no cost to attend HCZ Promise Academy.
For more information, visit our HCZ Promise Academy Enrollment FAQ page.
Join the HCZ Promise Academy Team
When they enroll at HCZ Promise Academy, your child will receive high-quality instruction from some of the best teachers in the field.
Join HCZ Promise Academy, our premier K-12 charter schools within HCZ’s pathway of cradle-to-career services!
At HCZ Promise Academy, you’ll help to ensure that every one of our scholars enrolls in and graduates from college. In the 2023-24 academic year, nearly 100% of our graduating seniors were accepted to college.
The team at HCZ Promise Academy is relentless in the pursuit of our scholars’ success. Everything we provide our scholars — from world-class instruction and extracurricular activities to social emotional support and healthy meals — is designed to fulfill the promise that they will graduate from college.