Harlem Preparatory School, 1967–1975: An Exploration of a "Community School" and Its Corporate Funders

• In Event: Urban Communities and School Reform in the 1960s

Abstract

This paper explores the history of Harlem Prep, an independent "community school" that existed in New York City from 1967 to 1975, serving former high school dropouts, recovering drug addicts, Vietnam War veterans, and other non-traditional students. Holding classes in an old supermarket, the school’s challengingly diverse population did not hinder it from sending hundreds of students to highly selective colleges. However, despite being run by community leaders, large corporations such as ExxonMobil (then Standard Oil) provided the majority of funds. Specifically, this paper explores corporate philanthropy in urban education in the 1960s and 1970s by analyzing Harlem Prep as a case study. This paper also explores Harlem Prep itself, in light of contemporary issues in urban education today.

Author

• Barry Goldenberg, Teachers College, Columbia University