SISULU-WALKER CHARTER SCHOOL OF HARLEM

The Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, located at 125 W 115th St in New York City, holds the distinction of being the first independent charter school to open in Harlem. Founded in 1999, the school was established to provide high-quality educational opportunities for children in the surrounding community, with a core mission centered on academic excellence and character development. It serves students in grades K-5, emphasizing a structured, rigorous curriculum designed to prepare children for success in secondary education and beyond.

The school is named in honor of two prominent figures in the struggle for civil rights and equality: Walter Sisulu, an anti-apartheid activist from South Africa, and Madam C.J. Walker, a pioneering African American entrepreneur and philanthropist. By aligning itself with these legacies, the school fosters an environment that encourages leadership, community responsibility, and self-empowerment. Through a blend of traditional instruction and focused intervention, Sisulu-Walker seeks to close the achievement gap for students in Harlem by ensuring that every child receives the support necessary to master fundamental academic skills.