In New York City, most schools don't know if their students are progressing until the 3rd grade test. That just doesn't cut it. At Harlem Success, we test before students enter school to know children’s starting points. We then test using both internal curriculum assessments and nationally-normed tests. The internal curriculum assessments allow us to target academic interventions in real-time, track trends in student learning, make curriculum enhancements, and provide useful feedback to teachers and parents. The nationally-normed tests allow us to see how we match up to schools across the country while preparing out students to be strong test-takers.

Despite being open less than a year, Harlem Success has become one of the most successful schools in New York City. We are encouraged by our early results but know there is work to be done!

While only 44% of first graders were reading on grade level in September, it was only a matter of weeks before we had seen significant progress. After just 8 weeks, 83% were reading on grade level. In 16 weeks, 92% were reading at or well above grade level. Before the end of the school year, 96% of first graders were reading at grade level with two-thirds of those students reading at a second grade level.

Our teachers continue to work with all ability levels to ensure that all students achieve to their fullest potential. A third of all kindergarteners are reading on a first grade level.

On average, all Harlem Success Scholars made 1.6 years of academic growth between August 2006 and March 2007 - less than one school year.