Community Programs and Services

Educational

TEACHER PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Columbia Artists/Teachers (CA/T)

Graduate writing students teach writing workshops to individuals ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens. CA/T is affiliated with several organizations throughout the city.

Fee(s): No fees
Phone: 212-854-4391
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.columbia.edu/cu/arts/cat
Partner(s): Refer to the website for the most up-to-date list of partners.
Columbia Unit(s): Writing Division, School of the Arts

Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

The Summer Research Program provides middle and high school science teachers in the New York metropolitan area with hands-on experience in scientific research so they can better understand the practice of science and better transmit to their students and fellow teachers a feeling for its practice. Each teacher spends two consecutive summers, eight weeks each summer, working as a member of a research team led by Columbia University faculty.

Eligibility Requirements: Science teachers, staff developers/instructional specialists and administrators currently employed in a middle or high school in the New York Metropolitan area
Fee(s): No fees. The program includes a stipend.
Registration/Application Deadline: Late January
Address: Columbia University Russ Berrie Pavilion 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 5-508, New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-851-5343
Fax: 212-851-5375
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.scienceteacherprogram.org
Columbia Unit(s): Department of Physiology

KINDERGARTEN & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

America Reads

As part of a national campaign calling on all Americans to help every child read at grade level, volunteers and work-study students engage elementary school students in a variety of activities that enhance their basic literacy skills. Eligibility is determined through application to Community Impact.

Phone: 212-854-1492
Website: http://communityimpactatcu.org/ci
Columbia Unit(s): Community Impact

One-to-One Tutoring

Volunteer tutors provide individual tutoring to neighborhood elementary children for two hours on Saturdays in Columbia’s Lerner Hall. Tutoring is open to any elementary students; enrollment is not school-specific. Eligibility is determined through application to Community Impact.

Phone: 212-854-1492
Website: http://communityimpactatcu.org/ci/programs/youth-programs/one-to-one-tutoring
Columbia Unit(s): Community Impact

PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC SCHOOLS

Everybody Wins! Lunchtime Reading at P.S. 125 and P.S. 36

Columbia administrators, faculty, staff, and students volunteer as reading partners to children at two Harlem elementary schools. Each Columbia volunteer has been matched with a single student and dedicates one hour per week during their lunch hour to read to students or listen to them read. Orientation/recruitment sessions are held at the beginning of each semester.

Eligibility Requirements: Students at participating schools must be nominated by teachers.
Fee(s): No fees
Phone: 212-219-9940
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.everybodywinsny.org
Columbia Unit(s): Government and Community Affairs—Morningside Heights

Graham Windham Children's Learning Center

The Graham Windham Children's Learning Center is a private, not-for-profit behavioral school for young children with special needs.

Fee(s): No fees
Registration/Application Deadline: None. Students are admitted throughout the year.
Address: 310 West 103rd Street
Website: www.morningside-alliance.org/graham-windham-childrens-learning-center/ Phone: 212-678-9555
Fax: 212-678-9246
Email: [email protected]
Columbia Unit(s): Community Impact

Harlem Tutorial Program (HTP)

HTP is a volunteer/mentoring program that works in partnership with the Columbia Secondary School to provide tutoring and serve as role models for middle school students.

Eligibility Requirements: Students at Columbia Secondary School
Fee(s): No fees
Registration/Application Deadline: Students need to enroll at the beginning of each term.
Phone: 212-853-0320
Email: [email protected]
Partner(s): Columbia Secondary School
Columbia Unit(s): Law School; Business School

StreetSquash

StreetSquash is an after-school youth enrichment program that combines academic tutoring with squash instruction, community service and one-on-one mentoring. Columbia students play squash with the kids and also help them with their homework.

Eligibility Requirements: Students in grades 6 through 12 enrolled at Thurgood Marshall Academy, Frederick Douglas Academy or the Academy for Social Action
Fee(s): No fees
Address: 40 West 116th Street
Phone: 212-289-4838
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.streetsquash.org
Columbia Unit(s): Government and Community Affairs—Morningside Heights

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

CSPA helps and encourages student journalists by providing written evaluations of student publications and planning and conducting three conferences and workshops.

Eligibility Requirements: Student publications from middle school, high school, or college
Fee(s): Membership fees and conference fees
Phone: 212-854-9400
Fax: 212-854-9401
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cspa.columbia.edu/
Columbia Unit(s): Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Double Discovery Center (DDC)

For over forty years, DDC's academic enrichment programs have helped New York City students, particularly from communities surrounding Columbia, to graduate from high school and college at a rate significantly higher than the national average. The Talent Search Program offers academic support, career counseling, SAT preparation and personal development workshops to students in grades 7-12. The Upward Bound Program is an intensive, year-round college preparatory program that helps more than 165 public high school students.

Eligibility Requirements: Students in grades 7-12 or young adults under age 27; students must live in or attend school in Manhattan; proof of income required.
Fee(s): No fees
Registration/Application Deadline:
Fall deadline—September 15
Spring deadline—January 15
Summer deadline—May 15
Address: Alfred Lerner Hall, Room 306, 2920 Broadway
Phone: 212-854-3897
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.doublediscovery.org
Columbia Unit(s): Columbia College

Heights to Heights Mentoring

The Heights to Heights Mentoring program matches bilingual middle-school students with individual mentors who incorporate tutoring and creative activities to engage students in education and cultural enrichment. Eligibility is determined through application to Community Impact.

Phone: 212-854-1492
Website: http://communityimpactatcu.org/ci/programs/youth-programs/barnard-columbia-mentor-program
Columbia Unit(s): Community Impact

Science Honors Program

The Science Honors Program is a highly selective program for high school students who have a strong interest in science and mathematics, offering courses primarily in physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences. The classes are held on Saturdays from 10:00am to 12:30pm throughout the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements: Students in grades 10 through 12 living within a 75-mile radius of Columbia. Selection is based on transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an entrance exam.
Fee(s): No tuition fees; $20 testing fee
Registration/Application Deadline: Application deadline: March; Entrance Exam takes place in April
Address: Pupin Laboratories, 550 West 120th Street
Phone: 212-854-3354
Website: www.columbia.edu/cu/shp
Columbia Unit(s): Columbia University Science Departments

State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

S-PREP is a rigorous academic program for minority and economically disadvantaged high school students, grades 9 through 12, who are interested in science, medicine or related health professions. Runs October through May.

Eligibility Requirements: Selection is based on the student's motivation, character, academic credentials (maintenance of an 85% grade average, particularly in math and science), strong interest in medicine, ability to commit to the course schedule and mature personality. See website for further details.
Fee(s): No fees
Registration/Application Deadline: August 2
Address: 630 West 168th Street
Phone: 212-305-4157
Fax: 212-305-1049
Email: mailto:[email protected]
Website: www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/
programs/prep.html
Partner(s): Associated Medical Schools
Columbia Unit(s): Office of Diversity; College of Physicians and Surgeons

Summer Youth Employment Program

This eight-week program places 100 high school students from the Washington Heights/Inwood community in various departments throughout the University for structured, well-supervised work activities.

Eligibility Requirements: Interested students must register with the City of New York, Department of Youth.
Fee(s): No fees
Address: 51 Audubon Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-305-8060
Email: [email protected]
Partner(s): Department of Employment; Alianza Dominicana; Children's Arts and Sciences Workshop
Columbia Unit(s): Government and Community Affairs—Medical Center

GENERAL STUDENT & ADULT EDUCATION

CareerNet

This course includes a 120-hour computer skills training class, an internship, mentoring, and job readiness workshops.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older. Additional requirements determined by Community Impact.
Registration/Application Deadline: Refer to Community Impact website.
Phone: 212-854-9622
Website: http://communityimpactatcu.org/ci
Columbia Unit(s): Community Impact

Center for Educational and Psychological Services

The Center offers psychological and educational services to individuals, couples, and families residing in the New York City area.

Eligibility Requirements: None
Fee(s): Yes, dependent upon type of service; sliding fee scale based on income and expenses
Address: 525 West 120th Street
Phone: 212-678-3262
Fax: 212-678-8105
Website: www.tc.edu/ceps
Columbia Unit(s): Teachers College

College Road

To assist prospective college students, the College Road program offers three types of services: one-to-one college preparation assistance, college preparation workshops, and a college preparation class.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be 19 years of age or older; candidates who are 18 years of age may apply, with an additional interview process required. Additional requirements determined by Community Impact.
Registration/Application Deadline: Refer to Community Impact website.
Phone: 212-854-1492
Website: http://communityimpactatcu.org/ci
Columbia Unit(s): Community Impact

English as a Second Language (Community Impact)

The ESL program is a twelve-week course of study offering classes in five different levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. As a result, we are able to offer valuable learning services to a wide range of applicants at different stages of their professional, academic, and personal lives.

English as a Second Language (Dominican Sunday & Columbia's Office of Government and Community Affairs)

In cooperation with Dominican Sunday, Inc., Columbia's Office of Government and Community Affairs offers a free ESL program to residents of Manhattan Valley. The program assists residents with improving their English language speaking, reading, and writing proficiency skills. The program presently runs three nights a week and Saturday mornings, and currently serves 60 mostly Spanish-speaking residents.

Eligibility Requirements: Manhattan Valley resident
Fees: No fees
Registration/Application: September, January and June
Address: The School at Columbia University, 556 West 110th Street
Phone: 212-749-0781
Email: [email protected]
Partner(s): Dominican Sunday, Inc.
Columbia Unit(s): Government and Community Affairs—Morningside Heights

GED Programs

The GED Preparatory Program seeks to achieve a balance between the immediate goal of helping our students earn their GED diploma and the more long-term goal of producing students who are critical thinkers and articulate speakers and writers. A GED program is also available in Spanish.

Institute for Research in African-American Studies (IRAAS)

IRAAS is an academic resource center that is building a new intellectual tradition upon the rich legacy of Harlem's history. The Institute administers the undergraduate and master's degree programs in African-American Studies, regularly sponsors academic conferences, lectures, and forums on a wide variety of topics, and produces the scholarly publication Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society.

Address: 758 Schermerhorn Ext., 1200 Amsterdam Avenue (at 119th Street)
Phone: 212-854-7080
Fax: 212-854-7060
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.columbia.edu/cu/iraas
Columbia Unit(s): Institute for African-American Studies

The Programs in Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School Executive Education

The Programs in Social Enterprise offer intensive, non-degree programs for nonprofit leaders and managers to build superior leadership skills and cutting-edge business knowledge during challenging economic times. Approximately 10 percent of program alumni are from organizations based in Harlem and Upper Manhattan.

Eligibility Requirements: Please refer to the website for more information.
Fee(s): Tuition assistance may be available.
Registration/Application Deadline: Please refer to the website for more information.
Address: Armstrong Hall, 2880 Broadway, 4th Floor
Phone: 212-854-3395
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gsb.columbia.edu/execed/social-enterprise
Columbia Unit(s): Columbia Business School Executive Education; Social Enterprise Program at Columbia Business School

Rutherfurd Observatory

The observatory offers workshops, lectures, and viewing opportunities for families and local youth organizations interested in astronomy.

Eligibility Requirements: Open to the public
Fee(s): No fees
Phone: 212-854-1976
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://outreach.astro.columbia.edu/
Columbia Unit(s): Department of Astronomy

The School at Columbia University (K–8)

The School at Columbia University is open to families who live in School Districts 3 and 5. Admissions materials are distributed through a lottery system. Administrators work to meet the financial needs of each family.

Eligibility Requirements: Families living in School Districts 3 and 5
Fee(s): Deposit and tuition; no application fee; lottery
Registration/Application Deadline: Lottery form: October 31; Completed application: December 15; please call for details
Address: 556 West 110th Street
Phone: 212-851-4216
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.theschool.columbia.edu
Columbia Unit(s): The School at Columbia University

CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL

Barnard Center for Toddler Development

The mission of the Barnard Center is to provide a warm, positive first school experience for parents and children, and a forum for parents and caregivers to discuss and learn about the development of toddlers; to conduct research on early development and parenting; and to educate students about toddler development.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be born between October 1, 2008 and January 31, 2010 for the 2011-2012 school year
Registration/Application: Visit our website for admission guidelines.
Address: 3009 Broadway
Director: Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D.
Phone: 212-854-8275
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.barnard.edu/toddlers

Children's Learning Center

The Children's Learning Center provides a relaxed, friendly and nurturing environment that promotes children's growth in all developmental spheres. The school believes children learn best through play at their own individual rates. Teachers plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate curriculum, encouraging children to discover and interpret their world through cooperative and independent play.

Eligibility Requirements: Ages 6 months to 5 years
Fee(s): Tuition varies; $50 application fee
Registration/Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until the first week of December
Address: 90 LaSalle Street, New York, NY 10027
Website: clcnyc.com Director: Renee Bock
Phone: 212-663-9318
Fax: 212-600-4870
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.clc-nyc.org/

Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School

Columbia Greenhouse is an independent, not-for-profit, and non-sectarian part-time early childhood school. Their student body reflects the diversity of the University community and of the neighborhood.

Eligibility Requirements: Ages 2 to 5 years
Fee(s): Tuition and application fees; financial aid is available
Registration/Application Deadline: Application deadline is December 1
Address: 404 West 116th Street
Director: Vicki Aspenberg
Phone: 212-666-4796
Fax: 212-865-1294
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.columbiagreenhouse.com

Columbia University Head Start Program

The Head Start program serves 68 children aged three to five and families; the Early Head Start program serves 194 children under the age of three and 42 pregnant women residing in the neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Hamilton Heights in Northern Manhattan.

Eligibility Requirements: Families earning within the federal poverty income guidelines. Families must live in the catchment area; Head Start families living between 165th Street and 181st Street in Washington Heights, Riverside Drive to Amsterdam Avenue, and Early Head Start families and pregnant women living between 125th Street and 204th Street in Northern Manhattan.
Fee(s): Services are free to qualified families
Registration/Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis; families will be placed on a waiting list.
Address: 154 Haven Avenue, 3rd Floor
Phone: 212-923-5237
Director: Carmen Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]

Family Annex

The Family Annex is a parent co-op that offers full-time and part-time enrollment for child care. The Reggio Emilia approach is used to encourage creative thinking for children and encourages both teachers and children to be researchers. The children are engaged in discovery through the use of materials, discussions and possibilities which the teachers explore with the children.

Eligibility Requirements: 1.8 to 5 years
Fee(s): Tuition fee; financial aid is available
Registration/Application Deadline: Applications are accepted more than one year in advance; enrollment is for September to July
Address: 560 West 113th Street
Director: Nancy Drescher
Phone: 212-749-3271
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.familyannex.org

Hollingworth Preschool, Teachers College

This program, run by Teachers College, provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum for three-, four-, and five-year-old children and their families. The children, who attend the school five half-days per week, participate in a classroom community that nurtures all aspects of their development.

Address: 309 Main Hall, 525 West 120th Street, Box 170
Director: Heather Pinedo-Burns, [email protected]
Phone: 212-678-3851
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tc.columbia.edu/centers/hollingworth/
index.asp?id=Hollingworth+Preschool

Medical Center Nursery School

The Medical Center Nursery School provides a nurturing and child-centered environment where a diverse group of students and teachers plays, learns and grows together.

Eligibility Requirements: Ages 2 to 5 years at time of enrollment; preference given to children from families affiliated with Columbia University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital or the New York State Psychiatric Institute
Fee(s): Application fee and tuition
Registration/Application Deadline: Applications are accepted at the beginning of September for the following year
Address: 60 Haven Avenue
Director: Howard E. Johnson
Phone: 212-304-7040
Fax: 212-544-4243
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mcns.org

Red Balloon Day Care Center

Red Balloon provides a safe, creative, and nurturing environment where very young children can learn by making their own choices and exploring through hands-on activities and through play. The center serves the Morningside Heights and Harlem communities.

Eligibility Requirements: Ages 2 to 5 years
Fee(s): Tuition and participation/activity fees
Address: 560 Riverside Drive
Director: Norma Brockman
Phone: 212-663-9006;
Fax: 212-932-0190
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.redballoonlearningcenter.org

The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center, Teachers College

The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center, an infant, toddler, and preschool early care and education research practicum site, serves to promote the growth and development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.

Eligibility Requirements: Only children of Teachers College, Columbia University, and Barnard College faculty, staff, or students accepted
Fee(s): Tuition fees vary depending on the child's schedule; 25% non-refundable deposit, $75 application fee applies
Registration/Application Deadline: Varies by year
Address: Teachers College, 525 W. 120th Street (Thorndike Hall, second floor)
Phone: 212-678-3013
Fax: 212-678-3048
Website: www.tc.columbia.edu/centers/ritagold

Tompkins Hall Nursery School and Child Care Center

Originally a parent coop nursery, this preschool program encourages parents to play an important role in the school experience. Tompkin's Hall strives to integrate each child's individual development with the experience of belonging to a group.

Eligibility Requirements: 3 months to 2 years 8 months for child care center; 2 years 9 months to 5 years for nursery school
Fee(s): Tuition, application fees; financial aid is available
Registration/Application Deadline: Nursery school: December 31; child care center: January 31
Address: 21 Claremont Avenue
Website: www.tompkinshall.org Director: Cynthia Pollack
Phone: 212-666-3340
Email: [email protected]

Twin Parks Montessori Schools

Twin Parks Montessori Schools are committed to building and fostering a community of life-long learners, using proven Montessori methodology. The schools provide infant, toddler and early childhood education and child care services.

Eligibility Requirements: See website for current openings
Fee(s): Tuition fees vary; application fee $25
Registration/Application Deadline: Begins September 1 for the following year
Website: www.twinparks.org

Central Park Location
Address: 1 West 91st Street
Director of Admissions: Shelly McGuire
Phone: 212-595-2000
Email: Admissions: [email protected]; General Info: [email protected]

Park West Location:
Address: 435 Central Park West
Director of Admissions: Jessica Anub
Phone: 212-678-6072; Fax: 212-678-1998
Email: Admissions: [email protected]; General Info: [email protected]

Riverside Location:
Address: 202 Riverside Drive
Director of Admissions: Candace La Douceur
Phone: 212-665-1600; Fax: 212-665-1775
Email: Admissions: [email protected]; General Info: [email protected]

Community Programs and Services

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