As our first profile, we selected the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem. Not only was it the first charter school to open in New York, but the school has done an outstanding job educating its students over the past decade and continues to flourish.
Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem
On September 8, 1999, New York’s first charter school opened its doors to 247 students. Named after Walter Sisulu, the father of the South African anti-apartheid movements, and Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, a world renowned civil rights advocate, the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem integrates community service learning projects into its core curriculum.
Sisulu-Walker fulfills its mission of preparing children from kindergarten through fifth grade for matriculation to exceptional public, private and parochial middle and high schools by offering a rigorous and challenging curriculum.
Over the past ten years, Sisulu-Walker has attained high levels of student achievement. In 2006, their charter was renewed for a full five-year term in recognition of their strong academic performance and sound financial and operational standing. James Stovall, Chief Academic Officer of Victory Schools, the Education Management Organization (EMO) that founded Sisulu-Walker, commented, “The success [of Sisulu-Walker] is attributable to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the school’s outstanding staff. I truly believe that the school has a tremendous culture that incorporates the needs and desires of the parent body and larger community. Together with parents and the community, the school has a singular focus on school achievement.” He adds that the board plays a key role in ensuring high quality education for its students. “The board is strong, capable and very stable. Also, it is very active and committed towards academic excellence. Many of the board members are young professionals that understand some of the obstacles that students and parents face, and are committed to helping Sisulu-Walker support struggling children coming to the school.”
Currently, there are 272 students enrolled in grades K-5; 92% of the student body is African American and 87% of students receive free or reduced price lunch. Six percent of the student population receives special education services.
At the 10th anniversary celebration of the Sisulu-Walker Charter School and the charter school movement in New York in September, Mayor Bloomberg congratulated the charter school’s accomplishments. On the 2009 state exam, 84.5% of Sisulu-Walker’s third and fifth grade students scored at proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 98% of third and fifth graders scored at proficiency or above in math. Comparatively, Sisulu-Walker ranks among the highest performing charter schools in New York State, and outperforms the district, city and state averages in both English Language Arts and math.
Sisulu-Walker is just one example among many of the positive impact that charter schools have made in public education.
To learn more about The Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem click here.
