Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1
General Information
About Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 is a tuition-free public charter school located in Manhattan, New York, serving students from kindergarten through grade 12. The school is part of the larger Success Academy Charter Schools network, known for its rigorous academic programming, extended school day, and focus on strong foundational skills in literacy and math. The Harlem 1 campus is located in the Harlem neighborhood, offering urban students the opportunity to attend a high-performing school committed to college readiness and character development.
The culture emphasizes high expectations, strong teacher coaching, data-driven instruction, and a broad set of enrichment opportunities. Families choose Harlem 1 for its reputation of high academic outcomes and the pathways it provides into the middle and high school tiers of the network. As part of a charter network that prioritizes closing the achievement gap, Harlem 1 helps students build a strong academic base while also promoting responsibility, leadership, and collaboration in a busy city context.
Contact Information
- Address: 34 West 118th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10026
- Phone Number: 646-277-7170
- Fax: 212-457-5659
- Grades Offered: K through 12
- Principal / Senior Leader: Maleena Guandique (as listed for Harlem 1)
School Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2006 (approximate – network founding date) |
| School Type | Public Charter School |
| Grades Served | K – 12 |
| Enrollment | 1,553 students (2023-24 data for Harlem 1) |
| Charter Network | Success Academy Charter Schools |
| Motto | (Network motto emphasizes “confident and creative thinkers”) |
| Address | 34 West 118th Street, New York, NY |
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Rankings
| Ranking Category | Rank / Position |
|---|---|
| Best Charter/Elementary Schools in Manhattan area | Specific rank not published |
| Network-wide performance comparative rank | Network claims outperform peers significantly |
| National recognition | Network frequently cited among high-performing charter networks in US |
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Academics
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Faculties / Departments
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Foreign Languages / Humanities
- Arts (Visual & Performing)
- Physical Education & Wellness
- Technology & Digital Literacy
- Character Education & Leadership
- Support Services (Special Education, Intervention)
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Courses and Programs / Majors
- Core K-12 curriculum in ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
- Accelerated or enriched sections in literacy and mathematics
- Arts programs including music, visual art, and theatre
- Technology integration and digital learning platforms
- Strong character and leadership program embedded throughout
- After-school clubs and enrichment (chess, debate, athletics)
- Pathway into Success Academy middle and high school tiers
Online Learning
The Harlem 1 campus emphasizes in-person instruction with full days and immersive schedules. While the broader network incorporates digital tools and online resources for homework, intervention, and supplemental instruction, Harlem 1 is not primarily an online school. The focus remains on live classroom instruction, teacher interaction, and structured daily programming.
Average Test Scores
| Test / Metric | Performance / Detail |
|---|---|
| NY State Assessments (Grades 3-8) | Network-wide, ~90 %+ proficiency in ELA and Math for many grades |
| Enrollment by race/ethnicity & proficiency impact | Data shows large gains even with high percentages of underserved students |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Because Harlem 1 serves K-12 under a charter umbrella, specific graduation rates pertain to its high school segment. The broader network reports near-100 % of its high school-aged graduates are admitted to 4-year colleges. Student retention year-to-year at Harlem 1 is supported by its structured environment, though specific numbers are not publicly listed.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
As a public charter school, Harlem 1 does not use GPA or standardized test scores like the SAT/ACT as admission criteria. Admission is typically by lottery when students apply for seats beyond capacity.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Acceptance Rate
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Not publicly specified (lottery-based admissions) |
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Application Requirements
Prospective families interested in enrolling their child at Harlem 1 must fill out an application during the enrollment window, provide proof of residency in New York City, and complete any required registration documentation such as birth certificate and health/immunization records. Because attendance at Success Academy schools is free and publicly funded, there are no tuition requirements nor selective entrance exams. When demand outpaces seats, a random lottery determines admissions. The process is designed to be accessible and equitable for all families.
Application Process
- Submit the application form during the announced admissions window.
- Provide required registration documents (proof of age/residency, immunizations, emergency contacts).
- If seats available, receive acceptance; if not, participate in lottery.
- Once accepted, complete registration and attend orientation.
- Start school on designated first day of term.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Typical Date / Period |
|---|---|
| Application opens | Annually in winter/early spring |
| Lottery drawing | Shortly after application period ends |
| Notification of acceptance | Spring prior to new school year |
| First day of school year | Late August (varies by year) |
Essay Prompt
Harlem 1 does not require an essay for admission as part of the charter lottery process.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Scholarships
As a tuition-free public charter school, Harlem 1 does not charge tuition and therefore does not offer scholarships for attendance. All admitted students attend at no cost.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Tuition and Fees
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $0 (public charter) |
| Additional Fees | None required for standard enrollment |
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
Based on latest data for Harlem 1:
- Total Enrollment: ~1,553 students
- Gender distribution: ~747 male, ~804 female (2023-24)
- Race/Ethnicity: Asian ~40; Black ~932; Hispanic ~463; White ~77; American Indian/Alaska Native ~12; Two or more races ~19
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
A large percentage of Harlem 1 students come from historically underserved and lower-income households; network-wide data indicates that three-quarters of students live at or below the poverty line. The campus also provides support for students with special needs, though specific percentages at Harlem 1 are not publicly listed.
Student Body
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Students | ~1,553 (2023-24) |
| International Students | Not separately reported |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Not specifically published for Harlem 1 |
University Diversity
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 fosters a richly diverse student body in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and language spoken at home. The school serves a majority of students of color, many from immigrant families and historically under-represented backgrounds. This diversity contributes to an inclusive and vibrant learning environment where students bring multiple cultural perspectives to the classroom. The campus community aims to promote equity and academic achievement regardless of background, and students benefit from exposure to peers with different lived experiences. The cultural variety also enhances peer learning, collaboration, and mutual respect. Through its inclusive admissions lottery and focus on high expectations for all scholars, Harlem 1 exemplifies a model for combining diversity with academic rigor in urban charter schooling.
Average Earnings
As Harlem 1 serves grades K-12, specific alumni earnings data for this campus alone is not publicly available. However, the broader Success Academy network reports that virtually all of its high school graduates are admitted to four-year colleges, with many receiving generous financial aid and pursuing higher-earning fields in STEM, business, and the professions. These outcomes suggest that students who matriculate through Harlem 1 are well-positioned for post-secondary success and career earnings above average for their socioeconomic starting points.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
The school employs a dedicated team of highly trained educators who specialize in delivering the network’s rigorous curriculum. Teachers at Harlem 1 engage in structured professional development each summer and throughout the year, and instructional leaders continuously monitor student progress, coach teachers, and refine lesson designs. Staff includes classroom teachers, special educators, support services (counselors, intervention specialists), administrative staff, and enrichment providers for after-school programming. The network strongly emphasizes teacher effectiveness, classroom culture, and frequent data review.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty and instructional staff at Harlem 1 typically hold teaching certifications and engage in extensive network-wide training. Leadership coaches invest time working with teachers in weekly cycles of planning, observation, and feedback. Many teachers at Success Academy have earned recognition or leadership roles within the network. The network’s founder, Eva Moskowitz, has emphasized teacher development and effectiveness as key to the network’s strong outcomes.
Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Harlem 1 does not provide student housing; as a public charter school in New York City, students commute from home. The campus is urban and vibrant, with daily schedules including academic blocks, enrichment periods, and after-school programming. Extracurricular life includes clubs, athletics, arts, chess, debate, and field trips throughout New York City. The school day at Success Academy campuses is often longer than the district average, and the campus culture emphasizes achievement, collaboration, and scholarship alongside student well-being. Families and students are part of a strong school community with regular celebrations of progress and achievement.
Transportation
Students attending Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 1 typically commute via public transportation, walking, or car/parent drop-off, common for Manhattan residential neighborhoods. Because the campus is located in an urban environment, many students make use of subway, bus routes, or city sidewalks to reach school. The school operates on a daily schedule that aligns with city traffic patterns and after-school activities. On-campus mobility is supported by well-organized arrival and dismissal procedures, safe pedestrian access, and coordination with city transit options to ensure students arrive and depart safely each day.
If you’d like more specific data on the high school segment of Harlem 1 (grades 9-12) or alumni outcomes, I can check and include that too!