Our Story
In March 2011, the SUNY Charter Schools Institute approved Democracy Prep to turn around Harlem Day Charter School, a failing elementary school in East Harlem. The immediate effects were staggering. In their first year, Harlem Prep’s scholars achieved the highest proficiency growth scores in English Language Arts (ELA) in New York State and the highest combined proficiency growth scores in ELA and Math in New York City.
To attain these dramatic results, Harlem Prep’s DREAM Team worked tirelessly to deliver Democracy Prep’s rigorous and structured model to the same students in the same building, turning the school into a high-performing elementary school where students are prepared for success in both college and citizenship. Although much ground remains to be covered, the turnaround has unequivocally proven that it was not the children, but rather the adults in the building, that led to persistently low academic achievement.
PRINCIPAL
Kevin Shrum
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Carolyn Narvaez
GRADES SERVED
K – 5
CURRENT ENROLLMENT
400 Scholars
The DREAM Team
Kevin Shrum
Principal
Carolyn Narvaez
Assistant Principal
Grace Han
Instructional Coach
Bryan Stroud
Leader U Resident
Amanda Torres
Operations Manager
Levar Leys
Operations & Technology Associate
Chastity Hidalgo
Registrar
Patricia Rodriguez
Family Impact Coordinator
Vanessa Pepple
Receptionist
Diana Pena
Kindergarten Teacher
Lauren Turim
Kindergarten Teacher
Colleen Riddle
Kindergarten Teacher
Julianna Gilary
Kindergarten Teacher
Alexandra Makos
First Grade Teacher
Jesse DeJesus
First Grade Teacher
Jin Yang
First Grade Teacher
Colleen Smith
First Grade Teacher
Sara Kim
Second Grade Teacher
Kasey Poloncarz
Second Grade Teacher
Mindy Stump
Second Grade Teacher
Carly Wurman
Second Grade Teacher
Courtney Cox
Third Grade Teacher
Jeremy Paula
Third Grade Teacher
Mary Kate Lyons
Third Grade Teacher
Hannah Burke
Third Grade Teacher
Marcus Smith
Third Grade Teacher Resident
Justin Richmond
Fourth Grade Teacher
Matt Labonia
Fourth Grade Teacher
Noemi Cardenales
Fourth Grade Teacher
Samantha Kienemund
Fourth Grade Teacher
Kaleel Watkins
Fifth Grade Teacher
Dimple Bailey
Fifth Grade Teacher
Jonathan Gallegos
Fifth Grade Teacher
Conscious Coore
Fifth Grade Teacher
Yauntilaa Lancaster
Fifth Grade Teacher
Ashley Silver
Fifth Grade Teacher
Manny Lora
Physical Education Teacher
Kristine Peters
Music Teacher
Adeola Fashina
Performing Arts Teacher
Kristina Bounviri
Movement Teacher
Shayne Walton
4-5 Science Teacher
Desmond Harrell
K-3 Science/ Social Studies Teacher
Amy Spina
K-3 Science/Social Studies Teacher
Stephanie Pepen
ACT Coordinator
Maggie Hibner
K-5 ELL
Teri Izquierdo
SETSS Teacher
Danielle Rivera
Social Worker
John Dufour
Social Worker
Bernado Melinette
Dream Coach
Cheyenne Bhutan
Dream Coach
Kelvin Negron
Facilities Manager
Kevin Burns
Custodian
Juan Rodriguez
Handyman
Julio Duran
Security Guard
DPNY Board of Directors
Click to download HPCS Board Meeting Minutes – 2016-17
Download Annual Report 16-17
To contact the DPNY Board, please email Boardoftrustees@DemocracyPrep.org
For information about the DPNY Board of Trustees, including minutes and upcoming meeting dates, click here.