The Emily N. Carey School (ENCS) is an independent private high school created in 2005. The motto of our School, is "To Know, To Care, To Act." It is our intent that all students at ENCHS will receive a depth and breadth of education which would normally be beyond the reach of lower-income parents.

Our goal is to provide a curriculum and program that prepares students for college and the world of work. We teach young men and women the importance of, and the skills required for, active participation in our democracy. ENCS strives to develop them into lifelong learners with strong moral and ethical values.

We rely on word-of-mouth referrals as well as referrals from the Harbor’s Charter School, the Harbor’s After-school program, truancy workers from the NYC Department of Education, the Administration for Children’s Services, Harlem RBI (a local baseball program), Harlem Academy (a local independent school), and guidance counselors from local public and parochial schools. Students are generally accepted on a first-come, first-served basis after parent and student interviews with Harbor staff.

Many of our students come from large public middle schools and high schools which are marked by bullying and violence. Some students had been victimized by other students for their sexual orientation or ethnicity. Some have been identified as gifted and talented, and some had been designated as truant. Our students also come from group homes and foster care.

From its inception, the Emily N. Carey School has been targeted towards those students who would benefit from a small, rigorous, caring school environment. Our student: faculty ratio is 9:1.

Through an extended day (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) and an extended year (September – July) students take classes in algebra, geometry, chemistry, biology, literature, American History, and interdisciplinary seminars. Physical fitness is part of every student’s curriculum and includes team and lifetime sports, calisthenics, weight training and martial arts. Class composition is mixed to best suit the academic strengths of each individual student.