Our Story

Our History

East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) was founded in 1958 by a community leader whose love of reading and the children of East Harlem inspired her to offer a volunteer-run reading group in her living room. Since then we have grown from a tutoring program into a multi-site, multi-dimensional educational program that will serve more than 1,650 Pre-K to college students this year through our after-school and summer programs for traditional public school students; East Harlem Scholars Academies network of public charter schools; College Scholars program; and the East Harlem Teaching Residency. Today, EHTP is recognized as a leader among organizations working to advance educational outcomes and as an agent of change and thoughtful contributor to the national fight for racial equity.

EHTP is on track to serve 25% of East Harlem students by 2025, preparing them with the academic skills, strength of character, and emotional well-being to excel in college, lead in their communities, and realize their best possible selves.

Click here to learn more about EHTP.

East Harlem Scholars Academies represents an expansion of East Harlem Tutorial Program’s mission, programs and delivery of service to the children of East Harlem. Having provided successful programs that support school day instruction for decades, the organization is now committed to leveraging its experience, its reputation and relationships in the community and its effective teaching and learning model to support the development and implementation of a school-day program through its involvement in East Harlem Scholars Academies. Through its partnership with East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP), East Harlem Scholars Academies benefits from resources, including staff development and other services by experienced educators and academic specialists.

Our Values

S is for SERVICE

We embrace opportunities to help others. We appreciate and learn from our community and the world in which we live.

C is for COURAGE

We challenge ourselves to take risks, to persevere, and to question the status quo.

H is for HUMILITY

We apologize for our mistakes and seek to improve ourselves and our shortcomings. 

O is for ORIGINALITY

We embrace and celebrate the radical individuality among us.

L is for LEADERSHIP

We seize opportunities to lead and always demonstrate strong moral character. We treat others as we wish to be treated.

A is for ACHIEVEMENT

We expect the best of ourselves at all times. We pursue knowledge and excellence.

R is for REFLECTION

We cherish moments to step back, consider our actions, and plan for a better tomorrow. 

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

East Harlem Tutorial Program’s after-school programs and its charter schools, East Harlem Scholars Academies, are high-performing, student-centered learning environments that are grounded in the following guiding principles:

All children can and will succeed when provided a great education. We challenge our students with a demanding academic program and stimulating learning environment so that they develop the skills necessary to succeed in high school and graduate from competitive colleges.

The best learning occurs when children engage in higher-order, critical thinking. To thrive in the 21st century workforce and successfully pursue boundless possibilities, our students learn to question, analyze and apply their learning meaningfully. Students develop the essential critical reasoning and leadership skills to succeed in their endeavors, both inside and outside the classroom.

A nurturing and supportive environment supports students’ love of learning and of themselves. We place a premium on students’ cognitive, creative, social, and emotional growth as well as their physical health, blending rigor with joy to ensure our scholars are inspired to learn. Students explore their individual aspirations through the school experience and develop personal connections to their learning.

Self-awareness promotes dynamic leadership and global understanding. Our learning community instills in all scholars a deep sense of self-esteem, cultural pride, and global responsibility, so that they become active citizens of the 21st century and develop into their best possible selves. Diversity is an asset to our learning space, and our scholars are engaged with and aware of different backgrounds and perspectives as they develop a deep and nuanced understanding of the world in which they live.

Active community engagement richly enhances educational opportunities. Families and the wider community are mutual stakeholders in our scholars’ educational success. Having access to a comprehensive support system positions students to reach their fullest potential, and our scholars’ commitment to service promotes our vision of social justice and a desire to help those in need.

Our Anti-Racism Work

East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) is dedicated to examining issues of racism and identity as we challenge the status quo and model the learning and dialogue that we believe needs to happen to work against systemic racism and ensure a more equitable future for young people of color.

We are eager to share lessons learned and hear from other organizations engaged in racial equity work. If you would like more information, please contact communications@ehtp.org.

EHTP’s Anti-Racism Statement

Since 1958, East Harlem Tutorial Program has been working to support students as they become leaders in their communities and realize their best possible selves. We do this because we are committed to promoting a just society, free from oppression and bigotry.

As an organization, we recognize that people who have been historically marginalized because of their race, class, gender, age, ability, religion, and sexual orientation, experience systemic inequalities. Many of the people in our diverse community of scholars, families, staff, supporters, and the surrounding East Harlem community live at the intersection of these identities.

We particularly acknowledge the pervasive inequalities faced by people of color in this country, across all other aspects of their identity, and consider racism to be the root of the inequity that many in our community inevitably face. Because of this country’s legacy of institutionalized racism, EHTP’s staff and stakeholders must face, honestly and directly, our own racial identities and our own conscious and unconscious biases. With the goals of self-realization and racial justice in mind, we strive to design all of our professional development, curriculum, organizational materials, and processes.

Through this commitment, we prepare our scholars to effect change, challenge the status quo, and thrive in the world around them. As a place of growth and learning, EHTP aims to serve as an agent of change and thoughtfully contribute to the national fight for anti-racism.