Education
Mott Haven Academy Charter School
The Foundling launched Haven Academy to respond to the unique educational needs of children involved in foster care or whose families are involved in the child welfare system. The school utilizes a specialized trauma-sensitive curriculum that is helping to close the achievement gap for child welfare-involved youth.
Located in the Mott Haven community of The Bronx, Haven Academy is a public charter school that is open to the general public, but admissions prioritize children whose families are involved in the child welfare system. The school’s mission is to empower children in an educational environment that addresses and reduces the barriers to academic success through the integration of family support services with a rigorous, college-preparatory academic program. The school’s specially trained and highly committed teachers are able to access resources to support every scholar’s unique needs, such as social workers who know the child’s family situation, or a pediatric nurse practitioner who can provide comprehensive medical care. The rigorous academic program also exposes children to art, culture and expression – at the same time providing social services that support the entire child – as staff members work to ensure that scholars will be resilient, resourceful, and well-equipped to reach their full potential. Learn more.
Why Haven Academy Works: Documenting Our Model
For nearly 15 years, Haven Academy has helped students beat the odds. Now, it’s time to share what we’ve learned. We recently conducted an in-depth research project to document our model – and our resulting report provides numerous insights on what makes Haven special, lessons learned, and how these findings can benefit schools nationwide.
