Our Approach

Bringing inclusive education to northern Manhattan, Harlem, and The Bronx.

Defining An Inclusive Approach

Inwood Academy believes that all students can learn and we have created the environment in which they can have success. We successfully lobbied for a change in NYS Law to allow us to give preference in our lottery to students for whom English is a new language. Through research-informed practices, we have built a program that serves all students. All students experience a rigorous curriculum across all content areas. Students who need reading intervention are given additional courses to ensure that they can read on grade level. These classes are in addition to their core classes and allow students to think critically while also learning the fundamental skills that they need.

Instructional Focus

We teach our students to think critically. We assess our student’s critical thinking and expression through the quality of classroom discussion, text analysis, written expression, mathematical and scientific reasoning, and creative endeavors.

Cultural Focus

Inwood Academy staff and faculty will teach our students to act with intention and care to create a healthy and sustainable school environment for all students.

Setting High Expectations

We will graduate 100% of our students and ensure they have multiple pathways to succeed in life. This far exceeds NYC Public School five-year graduation rates, which are particularly low for the most vulnerable students: 45% for Special Education students, 48% for English language Learners, and 72% rate for General Education students.

While all of our students could go to college, we know it's not a good fit for all of them so we provide an education that is preparing students for college and career—not just one or the other.

Privately Funding The Gap

We chose to serve the Inwood and Washington Heights community and operate three private facilities therefore receive less funding a year than NYC traditional public schools and the charters who share space in Department of Education buildings.

We chose to serve this community and our English Language Learners who are not designated to receive Special Education services, even though these services are not funded by the Department of Education. Support our students. Donate today.