named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Distraction-Free Phone Policy
School-wide initiative to limit cell phone use during instructional time to support student focus, reduce distractions, and promote mental health and online safety.
OneGoal
Three-year college preparatory program that integrates postsecondary planning into the high school curriculum, providing in-class support and guidance through the first year of college.
STEAM Program
Hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through project-based experiences and real-world applications to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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College Access and Success Support 2 activities
- Supporting student achievement in higher education and career pathwaysSupports students in gaining early college admission and securing competitive positions in advanced programs, such as university admissions (e.g., Alfred University) and placements in programs like the Columbia Neurology Department’s ACComPLISHED Community Health Worker Program.
- Supporting student college access and success through structured programsFacilitates student participation in college preparatory initiatives such as OneGoal, which provides in-class support and postsecondary guidance, and enables eligibility for scholarships like the Dell Scholarship to support college affordability.
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Transparent Governance Meetings 1 activity
- Conducting public board of trustees meetingsHolds board of trustees meetings that are accessible to the public and conducted virtually via Zoom, ensuring transparency and governance accountability.
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Student and Member Conduct Policies 1 activity
- Developing and enforcing student cell phone policiesImplements and updates a distraction-free cell phone policy that prohibits use during instructional time in middle school, responds to state proposals on phone use, and engages the community in feedback to support student focus, mental health, and online safety.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Implementing project-based STEAM educationProvides hands-on, project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) that integrates real-world applications to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Charter School Operations 1 activity
- Operating a charter school with college and life preparation focusOperates a public charter school in New York that serves students from middle through high school, with a mission centered on preparing them for college and lifelong success through academic, social, and emotional development.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Promoting healthy lifestyles among studentsAddresses the presence of unhealthy snacks brought to school as part of ongoing efforts to foster healthy eating habits and overall well-being among students.
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Student Support and Academic Services 1 activity
- Providing academic and holistic student support servicesDelivers learning support services and maintains strong communication with students and families to promote stability, motivation, and readiness for academic and personal success.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Hosting school operations and community engagement eventsConducts practical school operations such as on-campus uniform sales for the new school year and implements differentiated bell schedules for middle and high school students on separate days.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$14.62M
Contributions & grants$1.06M7%
Program service revenue$13.54M93%
Investment income$9K0%
Other revenue$21K
expenses
Total expenses$15.93M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$9.52M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$30.93M
Cash$272K
Investments$0
Liabilities$28.34M
Net assets$2.60M
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -4.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRYSTAL JOYE | MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL | 40 | $208K |
| WENDY RAMOS | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $200K |
| FRED GIVENS | HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL | 40 | $195K |
| CHRISTINA BROWN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THRU 7/24 | 40 | $183K |
| MELISSA AZAR | INSTRUCTIONAL COACH | 40 | $183K |
| LI'ESHA GARCIA | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $174K |
| TIFFANY WILSON | DIRECTOR OF HR | 40 | $157K |
| JULIA BOVENZI | INSTRUCTIONAL COACH | 40 | $131K |
| KAREN VALBRUN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $118K |
board members · 9
- AMRYLL CUMMINGS — TRUSTEE
- ANGEL VASQUEZ — PRESIDENT
- DANIEL ORTIZ — TRUSTEE
- FRANK CAFFEY — SECRETARY THRU 8/24
- MAYA ROBERS AKA NICKY SUNSHINE — TRUSTEE
- MEGAN VARGAS — TRUSTEE
- NIKLAS WEISS — TRUSTEE
- QUINCY MCLAIN — TREASURER THRU 11/2024
- WILLIAM COUNCIL — TRUSTEE
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- Alfred University Partner — Educational institution to which a New Heights Academy student was accepted for undergraduate study.
- Columbia Neurology Department Partner — Hosts NHACS students in the ACComPLISHED Community Health Worker Program.
- Columbia Neurology Department Partner — Partner organization offering the ACComPLISHED Community Health Worker Program to students.
- OneGoal Partner — Partner organization delivering a three-year college preparatory program that integrates postsecondary planning into the high school experience at New Heights Academy.
- State of New York Government — Responding to a state-level proposal to ban cell phones in schools.
- Student Style Partner — Vendor providing on-campus school uniform sales for students.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- College and Life Readiness through Sustained Supportmethodology: college_and_life_readinessBy integrating postsecondary planning into the high school experience and providing continuous guidance through the first year of college, the school increases college persistence because sustained institutional support bridges the gap between high school achievement and long-term success.
- Community-Centered Support to Enhance Engagementmethodology: community-centered_supportBy fostering a stable, supportive community through strong communication and learning support services, the school enhances student engagement and readiness for success because a sense of belonging improves academic and emotional outcomes.
- Holistic Student Wellness through Environmental Health Promotionmethodology: holistic-student-wellnessBy addressing nutrition within the school environment—such as discouraging unhealthy snacks—the school supports overall student well-being because physical health is interlinked with cognitive performance and emotional stability.
- Project-Based Learning for Critical Skill Developmentmethodology: project-based_learningBy engaging students in hands-on, real-world projects in STEAM fields, the school builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills because experiential learning deepens understanding and motivates application beyond the classroom.