Harbor Science and Arts Charter School

For additional information please call 212-427-2244 ext. 627

Since its beginning in September 2000, Harbor Charter has been an oasis of quality within our local under-performing School District. In the 2003-04 school year, 207 students are enrolled in grades 1-8. The mission of the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School is to create a learning environment where children from low-income families use technology to support a hands-on curriculum that integrates math, science and technology with the arts. We expect appropriate school deportment and hold all students to high academic standards. Our students thrive in this rigorous yet supportive environment, immersing themselves in challenging classes in science and the arts while sharpening their skills in math, language arts and social studies. They are making excellent progress.

Recently we strengthened our curriculum by introducing Everyday Mathematics, Full Option Science System (FOSS) for Science and History Alive for social studies. Harbor Charter has forged useful partnerships including those with the Central Park Conservancy to study the ecology of Harlem Meer, and to learn about insects and invertebrates with Urban Park Rangers and Wave Hill. All youth study and practice various styles of music, dance or drama and the visual arts. Lifetime sport activities and team sports are an important part of our students’ physical training and character building. All Charter students take swimming instruction at the Harbor’s indoor pool.

On January 11, 2007 the SUNY Board of Trustees unanimously voted to grant Harbor Science and Arts Charter School (Harbor Charter) a full-term, five-year charter renewal.

The SUNY Trustees praised Harbor Charter School students for their academic achievement, noting that in 2005-06 Harbor students outperformed their peers in local Community School District 4 in English Language Arts (68% vs. 41%) and in Mathematics (74% vs. 49%). Student achievement in science and social studies also outpaced the scores of students in our local district. We continue to be rated in “good standing” under New York State’s No Child Left Behind accountability system.

The SUNY Board’s Vice Chairman Randy A. Daniels wrote that our School provides "…real evidence of academic success with children and offers parents a quality choice in public education."