From day one, our promise to all scholars is to ensure their admission to and success in college — and beyond.
College may be several years away for our Promise Academy Elementary School scholars. However, we want them to grasp the importance of it early on. We want them to get excited to work hard and achieve the milestones that will earn them college admission. We want to prepare them to pursue fruitful, life-changing careers.
With this in mind, Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Elementary Schools focus on building strong foundational skills with an eye toward high school graduation, college acceptance, and successful careers. Our academic curriculum is enhanced by character development, social-emotional supports, field experiences, and project-based learning.
Keep scrolling to discover more about our world-class Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Elementary Schools.
Joseph Cordero
Principal, Promise Academy I Elementary School
Amanda Neal
Principal, Promise Academy II Elementary School
Our Approach
To keep our kids progressing toward college and career, Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Elementary School focuses on building strong foundational skills.
Scholars receive rigorous instruction in a variety of subjects: math, language arts, history, social studies, and the sciences. Through our interdisciplinary approach, scholars build a strong academic foundation, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for the state’s Common Core standards.
Scholars also engage in regular physical and nutritional education and enjoy exposure to the arts, music, and the vast cultural opportunities that New York City has to offer.
Non-cognitive skills are crucial to long-term academic and personal success. Character development is therefore a central component of the curriculum. Through clubs and group discussions, scholars learn about and cultivate key traits such as integrity, perseverance, empathy, confidence, and determination.
Graduates leave Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Elementary School with a strong love of learning and a deep appreciation for engagement in their community. They leave ready to thrive in middle school.
In partnership with Lincoln Center, scholars get into the spirit of swing — playing in a band, attending concerts, and gaining appreciation for the culture of Harlem.
Our various clubs facilitate student engagement—not just outside of the classroom but also within our community.
After School
Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Elementary After School program augments scholars’ academic, personal, and social development.
Holistic and multi-disciplinary, our programming focuses on high-quality arts, civics, and wellness learning. Our scholars learn self-management habits to remain on track academically, the importance of looking after their physical and emotional wellbeing, and the value of being a well-rounded, global citizen.
All activities are thematic and project based, incorporating positive youth development along with social and emotional learning. Each enrichment offering incrementally advances scholars through well-defined performance standards and builds towards mastery in STEM, arts, civics, and health & wellness programming.
After School Offerings
- Enrichments & Arts: Dance, Arts & Crafts, Theater, Media Arts, Step, Creative Lab
- Leadership: Team Building, Character Education, Student Government
- Wellness: Fitness, Nutrition, Family Fit
We will go to college. We will succeed. This is our promise. This is our creed.
Promise Academy Creed
Athletics
Participation in athletics helps our scholars grow, learn, and develop key cognitive and non-cognitive abilities.
Guided by our values, we design sports programs that foster teamwork, sportsmanship, and ethical and responsible behavior both on and off the field. Our coaches instill behaviors that will lead scholars to better and healthier lives.
Winning is not the be all end all. Rather, we encourage scholar athletes to be their best, which prepares them for achievement throughout their lives.
Athletics at Promise
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Co-ed Flag Football
- Soccer
- Strength and Conditioning
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Yoga
Enrollment and Lottery
Enrollment at HCZ Promise Academy Charter Schools is based on a lottery system.
Our lottery gives preference to residents of our 97-block Zone to ensure that we support children and families with the greatest needs. All eligible applications submitted are automatically entered into the lottery and no further steps are needed.
If your child is not accepted during the initial lottery (as determined by his or her random lottery number), he or she will be placed on our waitlist. We update the waitlist regularly and will notify you if your child becomes accepted.
