The addition of historic St. Charles Borromeo in Harlem increases network to seven NYC schools

Effective September, 2019, Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York will expand their relationship with Partnership Schools as St. Charles Borromeo School is added into the Partnership network. St. Charles Borromeo will be the Partnership’s fourth school in Harlem and its seventh in New York City.

Partnership Schools is an independent 501(c)3 that currently oversees six New York urban Catholic schools, serving students from historically disadvantaged communities in Harlem and the South Bronx.

St. Charles Borromeo has a rich, storied history in the Harlem community. Beginning in a storefront in 1888, the parish moved to its present building — known as “The Cathedral of Harlem” — in 1904. The school opened that same year and has been a pillar of Harlem’s Catholic community ever since. By bringing St. Charles into the Partnership Schools network, the Archdiocese of New York has demonstrated its commitment to preserving the legacy of this historically important parish school.

Over the past five years, Partnership Schools has invested more than $70 million in all six of its New York Catholic schools, including more than $8.75 million in St. Mark the Evangelist, a Partnership School just a few blocks from St. Charles.

“At a time when urban Catholic schools around the country are struggling, Partnership Schools have been a valued ally in stabilizing enrollment, improving achievement, and putting graduates on the path to succeed in life,” said Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. “We’re thrilled to demonstrate our commitment to Catholic education in Harlem by deepening our connection with Partnership Schools.”

Partnership Superintendent Kathleen Porter-Magee said, “Beginning next fall, the Partnership will bring a proven model of school support to help build a sustainable and vibrant future for the St. Charles Borromeo school community. We will also bring together two historic schools—St. Mark the Evangelist and St. Charles Borromeo—to further strengthen and expand the footprint of these academically rigorous, faith-filled, and values-driven Catholic schools in Central Harlem.”

“Our acceptance as a Partnership School reflects St. Charles School’s commitment to remain a leader for faith-based Catholic education in New York City,” said Fr. Gregory Chisholm, Pastor of St. Charles. “Our community needs a high quality, reliable academic program for our children that also is not afraid to teach a morality founded in Christian principles.”

Contacts:

Office of the Superintendent of Schools:

TJ McCormack, (646) 794-2889, TJ.McCormack@archny.org

Partnership Schools:

Cecilia Greene, (646) 794-3349, Cecilia.Greene@partnershipnyc.org