Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy II

NYCR-CDE provided $18 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing for the construction of a new public charter elementary school in Harlem.

The 51,000 square foot school, named Promise Academy II, is run by the Harlem Children’s Zone. Located at 70 East 112^th Street, the new building provides additional space for Harlem Children’s Zone scholars to learn and grow, expanding the non-profit’s service area beyond its initial 97-block zone in Harlem.  The school serves over 500 elementary school students and includes classrooms, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, music and art rooms, as well as administrative space. Bright colors and patterns are woven throughout the school to create a lively setting for students both in the classroom and in larger gathering spaces such as the cafeteria and gymnasium.

The Harlem Children’s Zone elementary schools focus on building strong foundational skills. Students engage in rigorous instruction in math, language arts, history, social studies, and the sciences. These subjects, combined with a focus on developing critical thinking skills, prepare them for the state’s Common Core standards.  Beyond academics, character development is a central component of their curriculum.  Students cultivate key traits such as integrity, empathy, confidence, and determination. Students also engage in regular physical and nutritional education and enjoy exposure to the arts, music, and the vast cultural opportunities that New York City has to offer. 

Since the founding of Harlem Children’s Zone over 25 years ago, the organization has scaled its pioneering place-based model to serve tens of thousands of students and families annually in Central Harlem. Through its Promise Academy charter schools, it has helped close the achievement gap and assisted more than 1,800 students graduate from college and build bright futures. The mission of the Harlem Children’s Zone is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty with on-the-ground, all-around programming that builds up opportunities for children, families, and communities to thrive in school, work and life. From early childhood, education, and career programs to community outreach and wellness initiatives, Harlem Children’s Zone opens pathways to mobility and prosperity.

“This is a dream come true, seeing our young people go to school every day in a building that is as good as any school in New York City or New York State. We want them to be in an environment where they feel loved.”

– Geoffrey Canada, Founder and President, Harlem Children’s Zone

“We often say where people see beauty, they see value. That value creates a sense of hope and that hope becomes contagious. We are communicating to our young people every day when they walk into this building — your lives matter, you deserve the best of the best.”

– Kwame Owusu-Kesse, Chief Executive Officer, Harlem Children’s Zone