Full Description
For nearly seven years, from 1967 to 1974, many hundreds of bright, college-going youth—most of whom had previously been labeled as high school "dropouts"—would proudly celebrate their graduation from Harlem Prep, a small educational experiment that grew to become a nationally renowned, cherished community institution in the iconic Black neighborhood of Harlem. Operating in a repurposed supermarket that used blackboards as classroom dividers, the school's unique multicultural philosophy inspired all who stepped foot inside. This philosophy, exemplified by the school's motto of "unity through diversity," shaped the school's ethos, fostered student achievement, and, most of all, made Harlem Prep distinct from any other educational institution, past or present. In Strength through Diversity, Barry M. Goldenberg shares the history of this one-of-a-kind multicultural institution from its rise to its apex and decline, revealing the collective stories of hope, struggle, and love from administrators, teachers, community members, and students. Using history as a blueprint, Goldenberg illustrates the untapped potential of multicultural education in the ongoing quest for educational equity.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part I The Origins of Harlem Prep, 1966-1968
1 Callender, Carpenter, and the Founding of Harlem Prep
2 Seeds of Multiculturalism in the Inaugural Year
Part II The Rise of Harlem Prep, 1968-1972
3 Laying the Groundwork: Administrators and the Supermarket Space
4 The Practice of the Carpenters' Multiculturalism Vision
5 "As I Taught, I Learned": Teachers, Pedagogy, and the Education Program
6 "It Saved Me": Students, Their Stories, and a Commencement to Remember
7 Building a Community Coalition: Harlem Prep's Supporters and "Friends"
Part II The Decline of Harlem Prep, 1972-1974
8 Diverging Realities: Adaptability and Uncertainty in a Changing Era
9 The Final Year and Struggle with the New York City Board of Education
Epilogue
