NEW YORK—The anticipation in the air was palpable. As thousands of families filed into the massive Amory Track and Field house in Washington Heights on Thursday night, amid balloon bouquets, helpful attendants in bright orange T-shorts, and platters of complimentary sandwiches; there was a seriousness to the proceedings. The families hoped to win a lottery that would place their children in one of four Harlem Success Academies.
The statistics of Harlem’s public schools tell the story of why the parents hope to get their students into one of the HSA schools. More than 75 percent of Harlem eighth graders who attend zone schools failed to meet basic state standards for reading. In 19 out of 23 Harlem zone elementary and intermediate schools more than 50 percent of students failed to meet basic reading standards in 2008.
Results like these have led to “zone flight.” Parents of 66 percent of eligible kindergartners from several Harlem zip codes applied to a Harlem Success Academy.
Natasha Shannon, founding member of Harlem Parents Unite and mother of two Harlem Success scholars, summarized her feelings about the school in her zone “My substandard District 5 zone school was not an option for my daughters.”
Students at Harlem Success Academies are outperforming the students in Harlem’s zone schools by a wide margin. The majority of the kids are reading above their grade level, quite an accomplishment when most of the students are from primarily low income homes, where historically there has been an achievement gap. At these schools the students are performing not only beyond where they would predicatively be, but also beyond their peers across the state.
After introductory remarks by Eva Moskowitz, founder of the Harlem Success Academies and former Education Committee chair for New York City Council, State Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith shared his educational background, as well as encouraging words to all the families in attendance, both those that will have won lottery, and those that will not.
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein spoke of the difference between the interest of politics and the interest of parents “They want what’s best for their kids.” “I wish everybody tonight could have the best for their child,” said Klein.
The random lottery winners were announced by roll call as the winning children’s names were listed on the large video screen in the center of the armory. As the principals of each school read the list of names, parents and children walked across the stage and received a winning ticket number and “I won the Lottery Today” stickers. The students will gain entry into Kindergarten and grades one and two in Harlem Success Academies numbered one through four.
Sarah Stevens, 36, beamed a huge smile along with her daughter, Winter Washington, as they collected their winning ticket for Winter’s admittance into Harlem Success Academy number three. Ms. Stevens, a childcare provider, has been applying for a year and half and could hardly contain her emotions. “You don’t even know how happy I am!” said Stevens.
As the families filed out of the armory, it was plain to see those that did not win a spot, on their faces were expressions of dashed hopes. Announcers encouraged everyone to not give up, as the names of the first 250 families on a wait list were displayed on the big screen, and many hoped for another chance.
Migdila Pena, of 151st and 8th Ave. was holding her son Rigoberto’s hand as they left the lottery; she had hoped 5-year-old Rigoberto would start Kindergarten in a HSA. “What can I do, I would like him to be there but he wasn’t picked, maybe he’ll get picked next time.”
The statistics of Harlem’s public schools tell the story of why the parents hope to get their students into one of the HSA schools. More than 75 percent of Harlem eighth graders who attend zone schools failed to meet basic state standards for reading. In 19 out of 23 Harlem zone elementary and intermediate schools more than 50 percent of students failed to meet basic reading standards in 2008.
Results like these have led to “zone flight.” Parents of 66 percent of eligible kindergartners from several Harlem zip codes applied to a Harlem Success Academy.
Natasha Shannon, founding member of Harlem Parents Unite and mother of two Harlem Success scholars, summarized her feelings about the school in her zone “My substandard District 5 zone school was not an option for my daughters.”
Students at Harlem Success Academies are outperforming the students in Harlem’s zone schools by a wide margin. The majority of the kids are reading above their grade level, quite an accomplishment when most of the students are from primarily low income homes, where historically there has been an achievement gap. At these schools the students are performing not only beyond where they would predicatively be, but also beyond their peers across the state.
After introductory remarks by Eva Moskowitz, founder of the Harlem Success Academies and former Education Committee chair for New York City Council, State Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith shared his educational background, as well as encouraging words to all the families in attendance, both those that will have won lottery, and those that will not.
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein spoke of the difference between the interest of politics and the interest of parents “They want what’s best for their kids.” “I wish everybody tonight could have the best for their child,” said Klein.
The random lottery winners were announced by roll call as the winning children’s names were listed on the large video screen in the center of the armory. As the principals of each school read the list of names, parents and children walked across the stage and received a winning ticket number and “I won the Lottery Today” stickers. The students will gain entry into Kindergarten and grades one and two in Harlem Success Academies numbered one through four.
Sarah Stevens, 36, beamed a huge smile along with her daughter, Winter Washington, as they collected their winning ticket for Winter’s admittance into Harlem Success Academy number three. Ms. Stevens, a childcare provider, has been applying for a year and half and could hardly contain her emotions. “You don’t even know how happy I am!” said Stevens.
As the families filed out of the armory, it was plain to see those that did not win a spot, on their faces were expressions of dashed hopes. Announcers encouraged everyone to not give up, as the names of the first 250 families on a wait list were displayed on the big screen, and many hoped for another chance.
Migdila Pena, of 151st and 8th Ave. was holding her son Rigoberto’s hand as they left the lottery; she had hoped 5-year-old Rigoberto would start Kindergarten in a HSA. “What can I do, I would like him to be there but he wasn’t picked, maybe he’ll get picked next time.”
