New York Edge’s Excellence Project is an after-school program for underrepresented gifted and talented students. The Excellence Project builds skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors while promoting academic achievement, social emotional learning and healthy development. Giftedness, according to the National Association for Gifted Children is defined as students who perform or have the capability to perform at higher levels compared to their peers of the same age, experience and environment. Underscored by best practices and backed by federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program, New York Edge is supporting a unique population of students at PS 189X by tapping into their abilities, motivation and creativity. Students have the opportunity to self-select into the program, and parents, teachers, and the principal can also nominate scholars. We have expanded the 189X program and are planning for Summer Excellence Project programming. We are continuing to expand our work to identify underrepresented gifted and talented students in under-resourced schools and provide 275 scholars with opportunities and support to six additional elementary and middle schools. The program’s effectiveness is evaluated by leaders in the academic community who have joined our Project’s Advisory Board. We’re thrilled about student growth outcomes and the engagement of parents, educators and members of the community. For this reason, we believe the Excellence Project will serve as a national model for policy makers, researchers and practitioners about what works. We hope you will support our efforts to encourage and build up these students to achieve at the highest level. Please keep scrolling to read about our team and Advisory Board. 

MMCC's Cornerstone Program helps foster a greater sense of community by offering year-round activities for children, youth, adults and seniors in partnership with NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA). Cornerstone programs provide afterschool programs and summer camps for children and teen, recreational activities for youth, family events, and adult programs, such as workforce development, computer classes and GED preparation that help advance a family's economic opportunity and livelihood.