The Emily N. Carey Harbor School (ENCHS) is an independent private high school created in 2005 by Hans E. Hageman, the Executive Director of Boys & Girls Harbor. The emphasis of all we do, and indeed 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 far beyond the reach of their lower-income parents to provide. This is a demanding task: to achieve the quality of education we wish to provide, but also to respond to a very diverse student population.

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

As of fall 2006, 48 students are enrolled. 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 public and parochial schools. An increasing number of current students’ siblings are requesting admission. 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, violence and where passing through an X-ray security screening system is a routine and humiliating experience. Some students had been victimized by other students for their sexual orientation or ethnicity. Highly motivated students felt ignored by over-burdened teachers who could not devote adequate attention to every student in their large and unruly classrooms. 95% of our students come from low-income families and qualify for the free lunch program. 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 Harbor School is targeted towards those students who would benefit from a small, rigorous, stimulating and caring school environment. Here, each student is known well by at least one adult in the school. Our student: faculty ratio is 9:1. All ENCHS staff received training from Educators for Social Responsibility on the running of student advisories. These advisories allow students to share personal and academic challenges and accomplishments. The adult advisor is the student’s advocate and main contact with parents. These advisories are also the organizing start-point for many of our service learning projects.

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. Forensics and participation in Junior States, music and Chinese language are additional course offerings. 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. Course work at ENCHS ranges from middle school level through grades 9 and 10, and in some cases, AP level.