
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Educational Alliance partners with local public schools to create community schools where: students have access to free, meaningful extended learning time opportunities; school leaders are assigned an Educational Alliance Community School Director as a partner in the student-centered approach to addressing challenges which impede student learning during the traditional school day (i.e. chronic absenteeism); and where all of the high-quality, multi-generational programs and services offered by Educational Alliance are accessible to students and parents attending the partnering schools. All community schools operate a Boys and Girls Clubs of America site, with nationally recognized programs, tailored to the individual needs of each school. In addition, our programs are supported by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, the New York City Council, the New York State Education Department, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, ExpandED Schools, the New York City Office of Community Schools, as well as, corporate partnerships and family foundations.
Extended Learning Time
Traditionally referred to as “after-school” programs, the Educational Alliance leverages multiple funding sources and meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations to deliver extended learning. A hallmark facet of Educational Alliance’s programming is the integration of SEL (social emotional learning) practices into our curriculum, instruction and assessments. Students experience a seamless transition from their day school programs into extended day programs. Extended programs are also provided on Saturdays, over schools breaks (including many holidays), and during summer months. The extended learning time opportunities differ from “after-school” programs because they provide students and families with a familiar and safe setting to engage in student-centered experiential learning, with thematic and project-based learning. Our current community school partners are The Robert Simon Elementary School (P.S. 64), The Nathan Straus Preparatory School (P.S. 140), The Amalia Castro Elementary School (P.S. 142), Tompkins Square Middle School (M.S. 839/TSMS), and The Island School (P.S./M.S. 188). Families with students in Grade K-8 must attend one of the aforementioned schools and complete an enrollment application to participate in any of our community school programs.
Community School Directors
Each school partner receives a full-time staff from The Educational Alliance, inclusive of a Community School Director, Program Director, a Program Assistant, and several school counselors. In addition, each site is provided with a Talent Development Team to ensure that programs are always delivered by mentors, activity specialists and teaching artists who are prepared to delivered high quality programs in a nurture and safe environment. The role of the Community School Director is to serve as a thought-partner to the School’s Principal in testing promising ideas and generating best practices in the elimination of chronic absenteeism and the provision of family connections to needed services and goods. One hundred percent of our Community School Directors have worked in their assigned schools for at least four years or bring at least 10 years of experience in public schools and youth development. Members of the extended learning time staff are comprised of staff from the traditional school day, members of the local school community, experts from the Educational Alliance agency, and teaching artists from the five boroughs.
PS 64
The programs delivered at P.S. 64 include push-in services during the school day where community-based educators partner with traditional school day teachers to deliver exciting lesson plans. The expanded day program provides project-based learning, experiential learning, and a wide array of arts-based enrichment programs. Dance and movement classes help students improve their gross motor skills, while advancing health and wellness practices. Students have a wide range of options, including: Hip-Hop dance, jazz, ballet and modern dance, as well as the culinary arts which integrate mathematics, health and wellness, literacy and social students. All activities begin with mindful movements and meditation, as part of the daily social emotional practices. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s Power Hour Program is implemented on a daily basis to provide homework help and targeted literacy support.
At least 83% of the students at the school are facing economic hardships, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance, and Census tract poverty rates. Funding and services from multiple community partners are blended to provide comprehensive services, including parent classes, a health center, and mental health services within the school. These partnerships are integral to the development of our Full Service Community School Model at P.S. 64, providing holistic and integrated support for the entire family.
If you are interested in enrolling your child at our P.S. 64 Community School or interested in exploring opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, please contact CSD Tony Davis at (212) 673-6510 or tdavis@edalliance.org.
PS 140
Students participating in expanded learning time are involved in a wide range of activities, including visual arts and crafts, and community service activities. They are encouraged to learn, be creative, work on their talents, and build self-confidence through dance, drama, yoga, cooking, and field trips in furtherance of experiential learning. The curriculum for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America are adapted to provide various activities, including: Triple Play, Passport to Manhood, Boy Chat/Girl Chat and Restorative Circle to teach and learn healthy lifestyles, good character development and other skills important to being a responsible, global citizen. Community service and environmental awareness are also emphasized.
At least 85% of the students at the school are facing economic hardships, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance, and Census tract poverty rates. Funding and services from multiple community partners are blended to provide comprehensive services, including parent classes, a health center, and mental health services within the school. These partnerships are integral to the development of our Full Service Community School Model at P.S. 140, providing holistic and integrated support for the entire family.
If you are interested in enrolling your child at our P.S. 140 Community School or interested in exploring opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, please contact CSD Jason Tomaszewski (212) 677-4680 or jtomaszewski@edalliance.org.
PS 142 AFTER 3 ARTS PROGRAM
The Educational Alliance staff situated at P.S. 142 is comprised of a diverse team of artists, educators and mentors committed to transforming and enriching the lives of students and their families through a renowned After 3 Arts Program. The collective team leads purposeful and meaningful lessons, physical activities and homework help which utilize basic theories of the arts disciplines to serve as the structure and ambiance of the program and learning environment. Regular Showcases are held to demonstrate the conservatory style program, offering multiple levels of training in dance, theatre, fine art, film, music and other creative outlets, where students demonstrate what they have learned and the connection to their personal lives and educational exploration. At the end of every school year students perform and produce an original full-scale musical, which represents critical moments in history. A cast of 16 students from the third, fourth and fifth grade, who have auditioned from a pool of 85 children will lead this musical in June of 2016.
At least 88% of the students at the school are facing economic hardships, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance, and Census tract poverty rates. Funding and services from multiple community partners are blended to provide comprehensive services, including parent classes, a health center, and mental health services within the school. These partnerships are integral to the development of our Full Service Community School Model at P.S. 142, providing holistic and integrated support for the entire family.
If you are interested in enrolling your child at our P.S. 142 Community School or interested in exploring opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, please contact CSD Joseph Garreffa at (212) 598-3800 or jgarreffa@edalliance.org.
PS/MS 188
A significant amount of support from ExpandED Schools supports the ExpandED program at P.S./M.S. 188. Traditional school-day teachers from P.S./M.S. 188 partner with local teaching artists and community educators to support the curriculum and provide opportunities for real-world, authentic, project based learning. The ExpandED staff also provides both 21st century and domain specific skills in classes such as STEM, robotics, art, graphic novels, dance, gymnastics, drama, sewing, cooking, and fashion. In order to meet the needs of the whole child, mentoring groups and skill-building programs are also provided to develop social-emotional abilities.
At least 94% of the students at the school are facing economic hardships, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance, and Census tract poverty rates. Funding and services from multiple community partners are blended to provide comprehensive services, including parent classes, a health center, and mental health services within the school. These partnerships are integral to the development of our Full Service Community School Model at P.S./M.S. 188, providing holistic and integrated support for the entire family.
At least 94% of the students at the school are facing economic hardships, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance, and Census tract poverty rates. Funding and services from multiple community partners are blended to provide comprehensive services, including parent classes, a health center, and mental health services within the school. These partnerships are integral to the development of our Full Service Community School Model at P.S. 188, providing holistic and integrated support for the entire family.
If you are interested in enrolling your child at our P.S./M.S. 188 Community School or interested in exploring opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, please contact CSD Jason Hasko at (212) 677-5710 or jhasko@edalliance.org.
TOMPKINS SQUARE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Formerly known as the Phoenix Clubhouse, the Educational Alliance programs offer a fully developed free expanded day program centered on youth development and community engagement. The program offers middle school youth a space that is safe, fun, enriching with creative activities they can participate in during out-of-school time hours. Students participate in various activities featuring character building, social growth and academic support. They learn healthy developmental skills to compete in sports such as basketball, flag football, soccer and table tennis. By offering club opportunities like Smart Girls, Gaming club, Gay Straight Alliance club and Mindful Art, the social and emotional needs of students drive all of the programs. The dedicated staff takes pride in creating a space that helps our youth reach their full potential while nurturing a sense of autonomy. The TSMS/Educational Alliance program represents an environment in which youth feel challenged, empowered and driven to develop positive relationships with peers and adults.
At least 59% of the students at the school are facing economic hardships, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance, and Census tract poverty rates. Funding and services from multiple community partners are blended to provide comprehensive services, including parent classes, a health center, and mental health services within the school. These partnerships are integral to the development of our Full Service Community School Model at TSMS, providing holistic and integrated support for the entire family.
If you are interested in enrolling your child at our TSMS Community School or interested in exploring opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, please contact CSD Cassian Thompson at (212) 995-1430 or cthompson@edalliance.org.
Enroll in a program
Contact a community school director for site-specific information and enrollment.
The Robert Simon Elementary School (P.S. 64)
600 East 6th Street
New York, New York 10009
Community School Director
Tony Davis
212-673-6510
tdavis@edalliance.org
The Nathan Straus Preparatory School (P.S. 140)
123 Ridge Street
New York, New York 10002
Community School Director
Jason Tomaszewski
212-677-4680
jtomaszewski@edalliance.org
The Amalia Castro Elementary School (P.S. 142)
100 Attorney Street
New York, New York 10002
Community School Director
Joseph Garreffa
212-598-3800
jgarreffa@edalliance.org
The Island School (P.S./M.S. 188)
442 East Houston
New York, New York 10002
Community School Director
Jason Hasko
212-677-5710
jhasko@edalliance.org
Tompkins Square Middle School (M.S. 839/TSMS)
600 East 6th Street
New York, New York 10009
Community School Director
Cassian Thompson
212-995-1430
cthompson@edalliance.org