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Q: What is Village Academies?
A: Village Academies is a network of charter schools in Harlem, founded in 2001. Village Academies currently operates three schools: Harlem Village Academy Middle School in Central Harlem, Leadership Village Academy Middle School in East Harlem, and Village Academy High School temporarily located in East Harlem (moving to Central Harlem in 2011).
Q: What is a typical student schedule?
A: A typical student day includes eight academic blocks of approximately 55 minutes each, a morning and afternoon advisory block, and a wide variety of after-school programs, including homework center, tutoring, clubs, sports, and enrichment programs. Students who need extra help receive tutoring one to four times per week, in lieu of gym or music class. The academic schedule for 5th and 6th graders emphasizes reading, writing and math (two periods per day, for each).
Q: Do students switch classes?
A: Yes, students switch classes throughout the day.
Q: Are there extra-curricular programs?
A: Yes, the schools run a wonderful after-school and Saturday school enrichment program as well as after-school tutoring and homework center. Enrichment programs include yoga, karate, capoeira, art, violin, chess, dance, and more. Clubs include community service club, journalism club, and various sports including basketball and track. Saturday trips include museums and cultural events, and plans are underway to create a community gardening program. The after-school program runs Monday-Thursday from 4:40-5:30, Friday from 2:00-4:00, and Saturday from 1:00-4:00.
Q: What is a typical teacher schedule?
A: Teachers are generally responsible for teaching four classes and one small group instruction (standards-based tutoring) per day, with three free preparation periods per day. Teachers are also responsible for supervising and interacting with their students during advisory, breakfast, lunch and recess. The teacher day officially ends at 4:40pm four days per week, and 5:30pm on one day per week (the extra hour is used for tutoring, homework center supervision, or running a club). Monday through Thursday, the day ends at 4:40. On Friday, classes end at 2:00, and teachers engage in professional development and collaborative planning meetings by department team, grade-level team and whole-school team from 2:30-4:30pm.
Q: What is a charter school?
A: Village Academies schools are charter public schools. In brief, charter schools are public schools that are held strictly accountable for academic achievement results in exchange for autonomy from many of the rules and regulations of the traditional school system. Charter schools are held to a high standard of performance and are evaluated and inspected rigorously and frequently in order to maintain their charter. Village Academies charter schools are authorized through the Charter Schools Institute (CSI) of the State University of New York (SUNY), and approved by the State Education Department Board of Regents.
Q: How are students admitted into the school?
A: In accordance with state law, students are admitted to our schools by an open, public lottery. Any New York City resident may apply. There are no admissions test or interviews.
Q: Is Village Academies a member of the New York State Teachers Retirement System?
A: Village Academies is not a member of the New York State Teachers Retirement System. However, we provide retirement as part of our benefits package.
Q: How does salary at Village Academies compare to the NYC Board of Education?
A: Village Academies teachers are paid a significantly higher salary than the New York City Board of Education.
Q: What kind of benefits does Village Academies offer?
A: Village Academies offers full health benefits and a 401(k) retirement savings plan.
Q: Is there a Saturday school program?
A: There is a Saturday school remedial program which is mandatory for students requiring extra academic help. Students are assigned based on monthly diagnostic, internal assessment scores. Village Academies teachers are not required to teach during this Saturday program, but may elect to participate for additional compensation. However, all Village Academies teachers are responsible for six special test-preparation Saturday school sessions held throughout the year.
Q: What is the calendar for the school year?
A: Village Academies schools follow a calendar that is similar but not identical to the New York City Board of Education student calendar. All faculty members are required to take part in the five-week Summer Institute training program, and the February professional development retreat.
Q: What goes on at Summer Institute?
A: Each year, the entire faculty and staff gets together for our five-week Summer Institute. The program includes teacher training seminars and extensive collaboration and planning, both individually and in teams. Grade-level teams plan school culture programs, while department teams plan lessons, create assessments and share instructional best practices. The staff works together to continually refine school-wide routines and plan various activities for our students. And, there is plenty of time for setting up classrooms, writing letters to incoming students, and organizing ourselves, so that we are 100% prepared for students on the first day of school.
Q: Do Village Academies students take standardized tests?
A: Yes, Village Academies students take the same tests as all other New York State public school children. In addition, students participate in the Stanford-9 nationally norm-referenced tests.
Q: How have Village Academies students performed on past tests?
A: Village Academies student test results rank among the highest performing urban schools in the country. Click here to learn more about our track record of student achievement.
Q: Is there a school uniform?
A: Yes, students wear a school uniform, consisting of khaki pants, a light blue oxford shirt, a navy blue sweater with the Village Academies logo, black belt and black shoes. Boys in 7th grade and higher wear a necktie. Additional, detailed dress code rules are included in the Student & Family Handbook.
Q: Are there currently teaching positions available?
A: We are always looking for talent. Openings may occur at any time, so we encourage you to email a resume and area of interest.
Q: How do I apply to teach at Village Academies?
A: Please email your resume, along with a thoughtful cover letter, to
