District Initiatives
Harlem Reads & Writes
Liberating our youth through literacy — one page at a time.
2023–2024 Recognition
Among the top 3 districts in NYC for progress made in ELA.
Congratulations to the incredible efforts of our teachers, families, and school communities driving this growth across District 5.
A culture of reading
Superintendent's Student Book Club
Our superintendent's vision is a culture of reading where students are always carrying a book and discussing their thoughts about what they are reading.
Throughout the year, the superintendent chooses a book along with a series of discussion questions. Students from schools around the district sign up with their class to participate. At the end of the month, students are visited by the superintendent to discuss their thoughts on what they read.
“Students are always carrying a book — and always ready to talk about it.”
Professional learning
ELA Instructional Learning Series
The HCSD ELA Instructional Learning Series supports a learning culture around promising practices in ELA instruction — consistent with each component of the literacy block.