St. HOPE Leadership Academy Charter School

St. HOPE Leadership Academy Charter School is a charter middle school in Harlem, Manhattan, serving students in grades 6-8. The school's mission is to cultivate self-motivated, productive, and critically thinking leaders prepared for college-preparatory high schools, emphasizing service and lifelong learning. It operates with an extended school day and year, focusing on a rigorous, standards-based curriculum, character development, and leadership opportunities. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high, with survey results showing 96-100% positive feedback on various aspects of the school experience. Parents frequently praise the strong communication, supportive teachers, and a welcoming, family-like environment. Student surveys also indicate a positive school climate, with high percentages of students feeling safe in hallways and bathrooms (96%) and reporting fair conflict resolution (77%). The school has been recognized as a National School of Character in 2016 and 2021. Academically, the school's ELA proficiency rate (39%) is at the 25th percentile citywide, while its math proficiency rate (53%) is slightly below the citywide median. However, 91% of its former eighth graders were on track for high school graduation in ninth grade, which is above the city average. The school offers intensive interventions for students performing below grade level and provides team-taught classes for special education students. A notable concern is the school's suspension rate of 15%, which is significantly higher than the citywide average for district schools, though it has reportedly declined in recent years. Additionally, teacher turnover has been high, with a rate of 75% compared to a citywide average of 39%, suggesting potential challenges with faculty stability.