At EHTP, our teachers and staff understand that, no matter what happens outside our doors, EHTP will continue working toward a world where equity, opportunity, and hope prevail over threats, division, and hate.
We are proud that our schools and programming remain a stable, supportive environment where all scholars build academic skills, develop strength of character, and pursue their dreams for the future in spite of any challenges.
As we head into the holiday season, our schools and organization are hard at work for our scholars—planning parent meetings and holiday banquets, organizing fundraisers, and preparing field trips. I am proud to say that East Harlem Scholars Academies and EHTP continue to push forward in our commitment to families.
In the coming weeks our schools will host Community Feasts, that families are invited to attend. Additionally we will be hosting an Open House for our JREC located 1573 Madison Avenue this coming Saturday, November 9th at 12pm.
Warmly,
Marina Cofield
Heads up,
East Harlem Scholars Academy and East Harlem Scholars Academy II will be hosting their family conferences on:
Wednesday, December 4th (from 2:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, December 5th (from 2:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.)
Family Conferences for East Harlem Scholars Academies High School are scheduled for February 7th & 8th.
Scholars Focus on ELA
4th graders have done an outstanding job reading, interpreting, and sharing their insights on Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Our 8th graders have been busy organizing and writing heartfelt poems about meaningful experiences in their lives. As we move into the middle of the school year, we remain committed to maintaining a consistent, supportive environment to help every student grow in confidence and thrive academically.
East Harlem Scholars Academy Community Feast
East Harlem Scholars Academy will have a Community Feast on Tuesday, November 26th for staff, scholars, and families. RSVP HERE
Kindergarten Focuses on Reading
East Harlem Scholars Academy II Community Feast
East Harlem Scholars Academy II will have a Community Feast on Tuesday, November 26th for staff, scholars, and families.RSVP HERE
VISIT TO CAMP RAMAPO
EHTP's OST program treated a group of East Harlem Scholars Academies High School students to three days of teamwork, growth, and adventure! Our 9th- and 10th-grade scholars took on the Ramapo ropes courses, hiked scenic trails, and bonded over campfire reflections.
This retreat was all about stepping out of comfort zones and strengthening connections. The goals of this outing included building community among scholars, positively influencing school culture, exposing students to nature, and introducing scholars to some of OST’s many offerings. We’re proud of their courage and resilience! Shout out to Brian Green, Christina Morales, and Briana McCall for chaperoning all three days.
East Harlem Scholars Academy High School Community Feast
East Harlem Scholars Academy High School will have their Community Feast on Thursday, November 21st, for our staff, scholars, and families. RSVP HERE to attend and volunteer time and food.
EHTP Visits Alexandria Launch Labs
Our scholars had an incredible experience at Alexandria LaunchLabs, NYC’s top life science startup hub—where they explored cutting-edge labs, met with innovators, and engaged in hands-on activities in biotech. This unique opportunity gave them a look into the world of life science startups and the research that’s shaping tomorrow’s therapies!
OST Scholars Visit Civil Engineering Workshop at Columbia University
In October, our OST scholars toured Columbia University’s Carleton Laboratory, where they observed advanced engineering research and connected with Columbia students about their academic journeys. This visit—part of our post-secondary initiative—inspired our scholars to see themselves as future innovators tackling real-world challenges.
EHTP at La Marqueta for Trick-O -Street
The Public Engagement team represented EHTP at this year's community Trick O' Street. Thank you to Councilwoman Ayala, La Marqueta, and Uptown Grand Central for inviting us, along with other community organizations, as we provided treats, activities, and fun to those celebrating Halloween in our community.
East Harlem Scholars Academy II Open House
The Student Enrollment and Recruitment team is hosting the first PK-8 Open House of the season on Saturday, November 9th, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
This is a wonderful opportunity for prospective students and their families to explore everything our East Harlem Scholars Academy II campus has to offer. RSVP HERE
EHTP at the American Association for Employment in Education Conference
Big shoutout to our exceptional East Harlem Teaching Residency team! Senior Director Veronica Herrera, Director of Inclusive Learning Fellowship Stephanie McKnight, and Director of Elementary Residency Rebecca Racine are proudly representing EHTP at the American Association for Employment in Education Conference in October. They shared our best practices and gained valuable insights from peers in educator preparation. We're so grateful for their dedication to advancing inclusive and impactful educator training!
Applications for 25-26 are LIVE
The applications for the 25-26 Residency and Fellowships are LIVE. Anyone interested in the Fellowship can learn more and APPLY HERE.
Lights On Afterschool at Patrick Henry
EHTP’s OST program joined the nationwide Lights on After School celebration! This event shines a light on the vital role afterschool programs play in supporting students, families, and communities.
From tutoring and homework help to exciting activities in sports, STEM, and the arts, our OST program is all about empowering young minds!
Our scholars at Patrick Henry marked the day with team-building games, showing just how bright their futures are, they even took part in a showcase to show off some skills.
October Memories
Whether it is Spirit week at the High School or Halloween at the Lower Schools October is always lots of fun. From costumes to candy our teachers and scholars had a great time participating in the fun activities.
Dear East Harlem Tutorial Program & Scholars Academies Families,
The month of September was historic for our organization as we cut the ribbon on the new high school building and welcomed families, the press, and many of the partners and key players who worked on getting the building built over the last five years. We also want to thank all the families who joined us for Back to School Night, our Family Resource Fair, and our first Family Meeting with Senior Management over the past couple of weeks.
Tonight we will be hosting our LatinX Heritage celebration, and we hope you’ll be able to join us to celebrate the culture, talent, and community of East Harlem. Families are also invited to our first High School Open House on Saturday, October 12th.
As we head into October and the fall, I want to thank the leaders, educators, and support staff, throughout the organization for their continuous work to improve the culture we create for our scholars and the learning experiences we offer them. As I walk through our halls and pop into classrooms, I see lots of positive change, and I hope you are also feeling our positive momentum at home.
Finally, please remember that ALL EHTP campuses will be closed on October 14: Indigenous Peoples Day.
Warmly,
Marina Cofield
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For East Harlem Scholars Academy High School
East Harlem Scholars Academy High School celebrated the opening of the
first new public high school building in East Harlem in over 60 years. The new 70,000-square-foot facility is the culmination of a campaign that led to the creation of a three-facility Pre-K–12 neighborhood campus, offering year-round, community-based, college-prep programming to thousands of local students and families.
The new facility at 104th Street and First Avenue houses East Harlem Scholars Academy High School and EHTP’s College Scholars Program.
The official event featured a ribbon-cutting celebration attended by students, families, teachers, elected officials, board members, business leaders, philanthropists, and East Harlem community leaders.
Watch the full ceremony HERE, and for more information, visit www.ehtp.org/ehtpnews or check out the WPIX coverage HERE.
Back To School Night Fun
Back to School Night at East Harlem Scholars Academy this year saw many families come in to meet with teachers and gain a better understanding of the school and curriculum. Congratulations to all the families who were able to attend and engage in their scholars' education. Shout out to all the teachers who stayed past regular work hours to meet with families for the benefit of our scholars' education. If you missed the event this time, there will be another chance for family meetings next semester.
EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY II
JREC Celebrates NY State English as a Second Language Achievement Test Scores
Some of our Multilingual Learner scholars at our JREC campus were celebrated for their results on the 2024 NYSESLAT exams.
Each Spring MLL scholars across the state are required to take this exam to assess the growth in their English proficiency levels. The scholars being celebrated here all passed with a “Commanding” level of English proficiency.
To reward their hard work, they were treated to a pizza and ice cream cake party and individually recognized with certificates for their achievement.
At the JREC campus 57% and 13% of MLL scholars in the upper and lower school respectively, tested at a “Commanding” level of proficiency.
EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
East Harlem College Fair
Our juniors and seniors attended the East Harlem Pride College Fair yesterday. They were able to meet with private schools like Fordham University and public institutions from City University of the New York and State University of New York. #EHTPclassof2026 & #EHTPclassdof2025
EHTP ACROSS CAMPUSES
College Mentoring Program
In September we launched another year of our College Mentoring Program with the largest class since 2020.
35 mentors began the work of creating college lists to support our 35 scholars in finding the right college fit for their post-secondary futures!
Our mentors come from a variety of states and countries. Some of them are from or live in East Harlem. They represent different educational backgrounds and careers.
This volunteer program is a huge part of what EHTP stands for.
To learn more about the program and sign up click here.
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME
EHTP Welcomes FTC & NYC First
In late September, EHTP's robotics team held the FTC kickoff for this year’s competition titled, "Into the Deep".
Attendees had the opportunity to meet and interact with many teams from across the city as we gathered for the exciting game reveal and participated in workshops led by NYC FIRST.
It was lots of fun and we're eager to continue to bring Robotics and STEM opportunities to our community!
EAST HARLEM TEACHING RESIDENCY
Applications for 25-26 are LIVE, EHTR Heads to Denver Colorado
Applications for 25-26 are LIVE, EHTR Heads to Denver Colorado
The applications for the 25-26 Residency and Fellowships are LIVE. Anyone interested in the Fellowship can learn more and APPLY HERE.
On October 23-25, the East Harlem Teaching Residency team will be presenting at the American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE) Conference in Denver Colorado.
The presentation is titled From Recruitment To Retention. This session will provide a concise overview of EHTR's innovative approach to teacher recruitment and development and its impact on both diversity in education and long-term teacher retention.
EHTR will share how our intentional program design and targeted support over 10 years of programming leads to success starting with recruitment.
Attendees will explore EHTR’s recruitment process and profile of a resident which has led the program to successfully recruit over 75% residents of color.
EHTR will highlight how high-impact coaching and professional development support teacher residents to success during their residency experience, leading to approximately 96% of alumni remaining within the education field. This session will offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and administrators on implementing effective teacher preparation programs.
ENROLLMENT AND RECRUITMENT
High Schoolers Host Info Session for Middle Schoolers
We hosted the first High School Info Session of the school year in September This was an exclusive event for our internal Scholars Academies 8th graders, where they were able to tour our state-of-the-art High School campus, meet our High School Principal and ask questions to a panel of current high school scholars. It is never too early to begin preparing for 9th grade!
East Harlem Scholars Academy High School Celebrates Opening of First New Public High School Building in East Harlem in Over 60- Years
The new 70,000-square-foot facility is the culmination of the Campaign for East Harlem, an unprecedented $100+ million initiative by the well-established educational institution EHTP. This campaign has enabled the creation of a three-facility Pre-K–12 neighborhood campus, offering year-round, community-based, college-prep programming to thousands of local students and families.
East Harlem, NY - Today, East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) and East Harlem Scholars Academies cut the ribbon on its highly anticipated new 70,000-square-foot public charter high school. The new 104th and First Avenue facility houses East Harlem Scholars Academy High School and EHTP’s College Scholars Program. In the last decade, nearly 80% of EHTP seniors have gone on to graduate college or remain on track to do so right now — the new facility aims to support the continuation and expansion of those extraordinary results for decades to come.
The event was marked by a ribbon-cutting celebration, attended by students, families and teachers, elected officials, board members, business leaders, philanthropists, and East Harlem community leaders.
The site, originally owned by the Archdiocese and projected to become luxury condos, will instead accommodate 600 East Harlem students and their teachers, offering a full regulation-size basketball and volleyball court, a black box theater, cutting-edge science labs, and dedicated music and art rooms. Scholars will have access to a third-floor terrace adjacent to the cafeteria, where they can plant fruits and vegetables, and enjoy outdoor meals and discussions.
Upon entering the building, students and guests are greeted by a 20-foot mural designed and created by local artist and activist Manny Vega. The tiled artwork features a collection of stunning scenes from East Harlem, including visual representations of the student artists who helped Vega create the piece.
This project was the second phase of the Campaign for East Harlem, which invested over $100 million to build two school buildings, launching the East Harlem Teaching Residency, the College Scholars Program, and expanded the East Harlem Scholars Academies network. The new East Harlem Scholars Academy High School building was made possible in part through the generous $30+ million in challenge gifts given by Marilyn Simons and her late husband Jim over several years.
Additional financing and financial support for EHTP was achieved through a partnership with Goldman Sachs, whose current Chief Financial Officer Denis Coleman was an EHTP volunteer in the 1980s and sits on the organization's Leadership Council.
The project was supported by the leadership and vision over many years by the school’s Co-Founder and CEO Emeritus Jeffrey Ginsburg, alongside Board Chairs Joan Solotar of Blackstone and Billy Rahm. Law firm Greenberg Traurig was a crucial pro bono partner, as well as Real Estate Committee Co-Chairs Stephen Rabinowitz, Hope Knight, and Jonathan Pollack. Alongside the Simons, major donors Lili Lynton, the Carson Family, Lori and Dave Schnadig (Cortec), Mindy and Jon Gray (Blackstone), Judy Gibbons, Andrew Tucker, and Don Cornwell (Dynasty) all played crucial roles.
This project sets new standards in community-based design and input. Ennead and Design Partner Stephen Chu personally attended design sessions where young people from the community alongside families and teachers shared input and helped co-design the spaces. 26% of the budget was spent with Black and Brown-owned businesses, almost tripling the average rate reported across New York City, and another 4% with women-owned businesses. 82% of workers hired for the project were people of color, including 8% who lived in the immediate neighborhood, demonstrating EHTP's commitment to ensuring that this project was built by and for the local community.
"Looking around this new building, I can’t help but think about the generations of East Harlem youth who will thrive in this space, which was thoughtfully designed with education and their future in mind,” said Marina Cofield, CEO of EHTP and East Harlem Scholars Academies. “This campus represents not only the bright future of both EHTP and East Harlem Scholars Academies but also our deep commitment to this community."
“After decades of witnessing the profound impact of the East Harlem Tutorial Program on this community’s youth, I am eager to see how this new building will further expand opportunities for our high school and OST scholars,” said William D. Rahm, Chair, EHTP Board of Trustees. “ I take immense pride in the collective effort of the Board, staff and broader community, which were all instrumental in bringing this vision to life."
“I am extremely proud of and grateful for the shared vision, generosity and collaborative effort that made these two new school buildings a reality for our scholars, families, and staff. EHTP now has the core values and results of its nearly 70-year history, plus the facilities required to succeed for decades to come,” said Jeffrey Ginsburg, CEO Emeritus of EHTP and Co-Founder of East Harlem Scholars Academies. “Simply put, our students and teachers have always deserved classroom spaces that reflect their true potential and brilliance, and I am overjoyed they finally got them.”
“Having been inspired by the East Harlem Tutorial Program’s mission and their unwavering commitment to the families of East Harlem for many years, I am delighted to see our vision become a reality. I hope that generations of students will thrive academically and socially in this beautiful, state-of-the-art facility built with love and dedication,” said Marilyn Simons, EHTP Leadership Council Member.
“The new East Harlem Scholars Academy High School building stands as a testament to the remarkable achievements that can be realized when we unite for a noble cause. I am so proud of the efforts undertaken by many lawyers from Greenberg Traurig, who contributed their time and skills to enable the development and opening of this state-of-the-art educational facility, which will serve the East Harlem community and its youth,” said Stephen L. Rabinowitz, Co-Chair of the Global Real Estate Practice at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and a member of the EHTP Board of Trustees. “This project represents the successful culmination of approximately $100 million invested in two significant educational buildings within this neighborhood, and I am proud to have had the privilege of contributing to their realization. I anticipate with optimism the lasting positive impact this facility will have on the lives of young people for many years to come.”
"Having been around since 1958, EHTP has grown into a pillar of the East Harlem community, and I am proud to see it still thriving and expanding in service of this community's youth," said Diana Ayala, New York City Council Member, District 8. "Congratulations to East Harlem Scholars Academies on this beautiful new building, which will positively serve East Harlem for generations to come. The need for educational spaces like this is greater than ever, and this new facility will be a critical resource for students and families."
"As a student here at East Harlem Scholars Academy High School, stepping into this new building feels like a fresh start for all of us. The facilities here—from the science labs to the black box theater—give us the tools and space we need to pursue our passions and achieve our goals. This school is more than just a place to learn; it's where we're building our future and learning to lead," said Amy Seye, Student at East Harlem Scholars Academy High School.
“The opening of this new campus marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the story of East Harlem Scholars Academy,” said Kathryn Connell-Espinosa, Executive Director, State University of New York (SUNY) Charter Schools Institute. “Research shows that investing in new school facilities can improve instructional environments, drive student learning and academic performance, boost attendance, and even, lead to better health outcomes. Investments like these can also help shape the future of the community, creating a nurturing home away from home for students, where teachers are supported and can encourage, guide, and inspire students to unlock their potential and make a difference in the world. We congratulate East Harlem Scholars Academy on the opening of their new facility and thank all who helped make today possible.”
“We are delighted to welcome our scholars and teachers into this incredible new space. The state-of-the-art facility is a game-changer, and I am already seeing our students’ commitment to learning reach new heights. This environment will undoubtedly inspire greater dedication and passion for their education,” said Brandon Swaby, Principal of East Harlem Scholars Academy High School.
“In my 30 years of living in East Harlem, I am overwhelmed with joy in witnessing this state-of-the-art high school for our community’s children. Grateful for the dedication and persistence of those who made this possible,” said Maria Medrano, EHTP board member and family leader.
“Ennead aims to create an uplifting environment that encourages the pursuit of higher education while also functioning as an open, welcoming space for the wider East Harlem community to congregate and connect. Using feedback gathered from conversations with families, students, and community members, we created a design that thoughtfully weaves the space into the fabric of the city that surrounds it. As the first new public high school opening in the community in over 60 years, we hope this serves as a model for future public schools throughout the city for years to come", said Stephen Chu, Design Partner at Ennead Architects.
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A message from our Chief Schools Officer Martin Palamore
Dear East Harlem Scholars Families,
Welcome back to a new school year at East Harlem Scholars Academies!
We hope that your student had a wonderful first week of school! It's been an absolute joy to see our hallways buzzing with energy, curiosity, and the excitement of learning once again. Whether your child is just beginning their journey in Pre-K or gearing up for their final year in high school, we are thrilled to have them with us at East Harlem Scholars Academies.
This year, we are implementing and promoting a change in culture and raising the bar on expectations for our scholars, teachers, and staff. We are also committed to improving our standardized test scores and ensuring they surpass last year's results, reflecting our dedication to academic excellence. To help us meet that goal over the summer our teachers took part in rigorous professional development and training before the school year.
Thank you for your partnership in making this first week a success. Our dedicated educators have been hard at work creating a warm and welcoming environment, and we’re proud of the resilience and enthusiasm our scholars have shown. We know that the beginning of the school year can bring a mix of emotions, and we’re here to support your family every step of the way.
As we continue to build on this strong start, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Please note that EHTP plans to host regular parent town halls for central leaders to share updates and receive feedback and suggestions from families this year. The first of these will take place at 2050 2ND Ave at 8:45 am on September 18, 2024.
We’re excited to embark on this new school year together, and we look forward to seeing your child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
After weeks of learning and fun, EHTP's Summer 2024 programming ended just a few days ago. I would like to thank the hundreds of families and scholars who joined us throughout the entire month of July for academic instruction in the mornings and fun activities in the afternoons, including field trips, dance, art and crafts, 3D printing as well as robotics.
Our summer was filled with opportunities not only to learn but to build meaningful relationships with peers and caring adults, giving children fun memories that will last a lifetime. Through the work we did this summer EHTP demonstrates that we remain committed to ensuring that East Harlem families have a safe, welcoming, and fun place to bring their children during the annual summer break. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made the summer programming possible through their dedication and hard work and commitment to our scholars.
I'd like to remind all families that our fist day of school is August 21st. Please make sure that your child is ready to attend school on time and in uniform on Wednesday morning, as we are committed to making every day of learning count.
P.S
Please keep an eye out for images of our scholars and families during the first day of school and next week!
Warmly,
Marina Cofield, CEO, EHTP
Summer Institute Program Highlights
This summer, our scholars engaged in a variety of activities and workshops designed to inspire creativity, foster new skills, and promote personal growth. From trips to the Children's Museum for Kindergarten through 2nd to grade to to the photography workshops that allowed scholars in grades 3rd though 5th to capture the world through their lens, honing their artistic abilities and exploring visual storytelling.
In our STEM sessions, for scholars in grades 3rd through 8th , they learned about technology and engineering, working together to build habitats for local animals and critters.
Youth development workshops provided a space for middle schoolers to discuss important life skills, including leadership, communication, and self-reflection, helping them build confidence and prepare for their future.
In addition to in-class activities, our high school scholars participated in several educational trips, which extended their learning beyond the classroom. These outings allowed scholars to experience new environments, broaden their perspectives, and apply the lessons they’ve learned in real-world settings.
One of the most impactful experiences of the summer was our tour of Philadelphia. During this trip, high school scholars explored the city’s rich history by visiting numerous historical landmarks and gained insights into what their academic future could hold by touring four universities: Villanova, Temple, UPenn, and Drexel. These visits were more than just sightseeing; they offered our scholars a glimpse into college life and encouraged them to envision their own paths to higher education.
Through discussions and activities like creating vision boards, scholars were able to reflect on their goals and aspirations, fostering a sense of purpose and excitement about their future endeavors.
Overall, this summer has been transformative for our scholars, as they’ve developed new skills, explored future possibilities.
This summer, our scholars engaged in a dynamic and enriching full-day program, with a strong emphasis on academics in the morning and various enrichment activities in the afternoon. Each morning, small classes were led by experienced teachers, with additional support from dedicated team service members. Teachers were given sufficient time and training to deliver impactful lessons, provide targeted small group instruction, and learn how to use data to offer personalized support to scholars.
During the summer instruction for our high schoolers, a total of 55 scholars were able to successfully receive credit recovery putting them back on track to graduate on time over the coming years.
Our literacy instruction was grounded in the science of reading, which has been proven to accelerate reading skills, while our math curriculum encouraged scholars to work together and explore multiple problem-solving strategies. The results speak for themselves: scholars showed an average growth of 12.56% in ELA and 18.82% in Math by the end of the program!
2024 Graduating Class of East Harlem Scholars Academy High School
Jim Simons, by Béatrice de Géa
Earlier today, Jim Simons, a celebrated mathematician, investor and philanthropist, passed away in New York City at the age of 86. Marilyn Simons, Jim’s wife, is a longtime supporter and board member of East Harlem Tutorial Program and East Harlem Scholars Academies. In 1994, Jim and Marilyn established the Simons Foundation, which Marilyn led until October 2021, and together they made historic investments in scientific research and education for underserved communities. Among their many leadership gifts were contributions to the Campaign for East Harlem that funded the establishment of permanent facilities for East Harlem Scholars Academy and East Harlem Scholars Academy High School.
Throughout his life, Jim served as an inspiration to generations of mathematicians, scientists, and investors. His curiosity and probing mind led to breakthroughs in all of the fields that he touched. Although he left math behind as a profession more than 40 years ago, the one-time chairman of the math department of Stony Brook University and famed code breaker from MIT, brought the same analytical approach from math to everything he did and reshaped how others worked in fields of quantitative investing and basic science. He also founded Math for America to improve math education for students in schools around the country.
EHTP envisions a world where all young people access an unconditionally supportive education that offers them the freedom to embrace – and build on – their inherent power as learners. We have known very few people more committed to the idea of lifelong learning than Jim Simons. EHTP served as just one example of how Jim turned his efforts to philanthropy, not only through charitable giving but also through asking questions that others had not considered at Education Roundtables or even board holiday dinners at his home. EHTP could not have been built to its present status of serving thousands of families in East Harlem without Jim’s inspiration, wisdom, and participation.
Over more than twenty years, we also witnessed the incredible partnership between Jim and Marilyn, both in marriage and the leadership of the Simons Foundation. The entire EHTP family sends its love to Marilyn today, as well as to Jim’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Our thoughts are with them even as we celebrate his life and impact.
for more information visit www.simonsfoundation.org
EHTP applauds the student loan forgiveness movement that has successfully pressured the Biden Administration to announce the cancellation of $10,000 of student debt for millions of indebted Americans and an additional $10,000 for pell grant recipients.
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