Empowering Education Beyond the Classroom: New York Edge’s Holistic Approach to Student Development
Could you elaborate on how New York Edge’s emphasis on programs in the arts and STEM fields contributes to advancing educational equity and preparing students for future opportunities?
New York Edge has emerged as the largest provider of school-based afterschool programs in New York City. Operating in 129 schools across all five boroughs of New York City and expanding to Long Island, our organization serves students from kindergarten to college. In addition, we have established partnerships with 19 community schools in collaboration with the City of New York, offering comprehensive wraparound services, including mental health support, parent classes, health centers, and food pantries.
New York Edge’s core content program focuses on sports, health, and wellness, providing opportunities for kids to engage in over 50 sports. We also conduct a National Institute of Health study, the Hip Hop HEALS Program, in collaboration with Columbia University’s School of Public Health and Dr. Oladjide Williams. This study addresses food insecurity, promotes access to healthy food choices, and explores community gardens, aiming to enhance the overall well-being of children for academic success.
Our extensive visual and performing arts program aims to nurture young talent. Notably, selected students had the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall, where they received training from Misty Copeland and the Rockettes as part of a program led by the Garden of Dreams Foundation. We also stay ahead of future job trends, conducting panels with industry giants like Google and Microsoft to explore issues such as the impact of AI on education.
