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R * E * A * C * H
Revitalizing Education to Achieve a Climate of Hope

The mission of REACH is to provide a supportive, challenging and nurturing educational community so that each student can discover and reach his individual potential.

REACH targets elementary school students, between the ages of eight and twelve, whose schooling has suffered drastically as a result of living in transitional housing facilities, foster homes or other difficult family situations.

The REACH Community School is a small school that is part of Community School District One. The school provides a therapeutic, respectful and academically rich environment to its students. The school serves 25 students in two classrooms located at Genesis Apartments in downtown New York City. Genesis, part of the HELP organization, provides permanent housing for formerly homeless and low-income families.

REACH provides:

  • Personalized instruction designed to support each student's learning
  • High interest experience and activity based classes that challenge and engage students
  • A 6:1 teacher to student ratio
  • Enrichment field trips
  • Enrichment classes including art, music, martial arts and computers
  • Support for parents through workshops and counseling
The REACH Community School graduates students in two to three years based on each student's own rate of development. Students continue their education in schools where they develop and utilize the skills learned at REACH. The on-staff social worker combs New York City to find appropriate school settings for the graduates. She also links REACH students with afterschool programs, internships, health care and other support services.

Through personalized attention and ongoing support, The REACH School aims for 100% high school graduation for all REACH students.