At Harlem Children’s Zone, we know our scholars have unlimited potential.
They only need the tools and resources to fully realize it.
That includes a high-quality education and after-school programs; a safe space to learn and play; and holistic supports that pave the path to success in college, career, and life.
We’re committed to providing those services at no cost to our scholars or their families. There’s no catch! Through our generous donor community and other sources of funding, Harlem Children’s Zone is free of charge for scholars.
What happens when you remove the financial burden to high-quality education and resources? The results speak for themselves:
- We’ve closed the achievement gap in our schools
- Nearly 100% of our scholars are accepted to college each year
- Over a thousand have earned their degrees and many are building successful careers
Keep scrolling to discover more about HCZ’s pathway of no-cost programs and services.
HCZ Promise Academy, our top-performing charter schools, offer no-cost tuition, free uniforms and school supplies, college scholarship opportunities, and more.
Within HCZ’s pathway of programs and services is HCZ Promise Academy, our top-performing K-12 charter schools where kids grow, learn, and prepare for college, careers, and life. At Promise Academy, our scholars enjoy a private school experience at no cost to families.
We’re proud to be Harlem’s top-performing K-12 charter network — with great teachers, strong academics, fun after-school programs, scholarship opportunities, and modern spaces where scholars can do their best learning.
Thinking of going to Staples for supplies? Save the trip! From notebooks 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, musical instruments, media and broadcasting tools, and much more.
When it’s time to go to college, we prepare scholars for their post-secondary journey. That includes help navigating the college application process, landing scholarships, and choosing the college and major that’s right for them. Why the focus on college? We believe it’s the key to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Discover everything you need to know about HCZ Promise Academy and how to enroll>
Our schools are located conveniently throughout 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 Zone Programs comprise early childhood programs, K-12 after-school, and wraparound services — all at no cost.
This includes:
- The Baby College program for new and expectant parents
- Harlem Gems preschools
- Peacemakers program supporting scholars in Central Harlem’s public schools
- A Cut Above K-8 after-school program
- Academy of Arts and Civic Engagement college-inspired arts after-school program for high schoolers
- Employment and Technology Center college-inspired STEM after-school program for high schoolers
- Countee Cullen Community Center college-inspired media arts after-school program for high schoolers
- College Success Office post-secondary support services program
Additionally, Harlem Children’s Zone is free for our community members through the following programs and services:
- Community Pride community outreach program
- Community Centers and HCZ Armory community and health and wellness space
HCZ schools and programs aren’t just free — with Wealth Builds, we empower our scholars to build successful financial futures
Through participation in the initiative, scholars receive:
- Financial education — access to financial tools and resources, along with support to develop personal financial plans
- Asset boosts — have the opportunity to receive financial investments that grow over time
- Cradle-to-career pathway — holistic wraparound services that support them from the moment they are born to the moment they launch their careers.
Scholars are better prepared to pay for educational expenses, buy their first home, or start a business — pathways to achieving life-changing social and economic mobility.