Harlem Gems Start Kindergarten
September 4, 2012
-
Students from the Harlem Children Zone pre-kindergarten program, the Harlem Gems, march into the gym on their graduation day, June 21, 2012, to celebrate their completion of preschool. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
George Khaldun, Chief Operating Officer of Harlem Children’s Zone, outlines the Gems’ achievements, including learning to count to 100 and sing in Spanish and French. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
The are no sunglasses dark enough to dim the luminous charm of the Harlem Gems. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
A preschooler leads her classmates in a song about counting. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
Armed with paper guitars they made in school, the Gems sing and dance for their families. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
Families and faculty celebrate performances showcasing what the preschoolers learned on their way to becoming kindergarten students. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
The singing and dancing performances over, the Gems put on their caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
Harlem Children Zone staff awards a former preschooler with his diploma. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations -
With her diploma in hand and her father’s support, this young girl is prepared for elementary school at Harlem Children’s Zone. © Russell Frederick for the Open Society Foundations
Students from the Harlem Children Zone’s (HCZ) pre-kindergarten program, the Harlem Gems, graduated in June 2012. Most will continue their education at HCZ all the way through elementary and high school. Gems students attend school all-day, and their classes have a 4:1 child-to-adult ratio. HCZ runs three pre-kindergarten sites, serving 200 children.
Share
