Original Research by School Decision on East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School
East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School is a pre-K through grade 12 charter network serving just under a thousand students in New York County. The enrollment spans the full grade range, with larger cohorts in the high school grades and a solid presence in elementary and middle school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population, smaller numbers of Asian and white students, and a handful of multiracial and Native American students. Free-and-reduced-price lunch data and English learner counts were not available in the data provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the share of students in economic need or learning English as an additional language.
The school operates as a charter network with recent structural changes that affect enrollment. A new dedicated high school building opened for the 2024-2025 school year, completing a three-site pre-K-12 neighborhood campus. This means families can enroll their child in kindergarten and stay within the same organization through high school, a continuity advantage for those planning long-term. The new high school facility includes science labs, robotics centers, music rooms, and a college access suite.
Beginning in 2026-2027, the network is reorganizing. East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School will serve only grades 9-12, while a separate entity, East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School II, will house elementary and middle school students. This change affects which charter entity each grade level falls under and alters the enrollment distribution across the network. Parents with current elementary or middle school students should clarify how this shift affects their child's placement and school assignment.
State testing data and a four-year graduation rate were not available for this entity. Among New York County's districts, the school's chronic absenteeism rate sits below the countywide median, a meaningful marker of daily engagement. Per-pupil spending at the school is in the upper range for the county, reflecting higher investment in student instruction and operations.
The school is implementing a phone-free policy beginning in 2025-2026, requiring students in grades 5-12 to lock cell phones and internet-connected devices in Yondr pouches during the school day. K-4 students who bring devices must pouch them as well. This policy follows New York State's Distraction-Free Schools law and is a material shift in the daily school experience that families should understand and be prepared for.
Academic performance data, course offerings, and staffing details were not available in the information gathered. A parent considering enrollment should contact the school to understand curriculum design, college and career readiness programs, teacher qualifications, and whether academic results and program options align with their expectations.
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