FSH Objectives
Our students will:
Develop
- The academic foundation to graduate from high school
- The academic foundation to succeed at a four-year college
- Proficient skating skills
Possess
- Confidence in their ability to achieve their personal goals
- A life-long appreciation for physical fitness and nutrition as a tool to benefit the mind and body
- Positive social and emotional skills
Be
- Proficient writers and possess critical thinking skills
- Confident and capable public speakers
- Able to make healthy food and fitness choices
THE NEED
FSH CHANGES LIVES
Studies show that for girls, early adolescence is an important turning point. It’s when many girls slip behind in academic test scores; lack access to positive educational experiences; face risks to their health from poor nutrition and lack of exercise.
FSH’s holistic approach to youth development recognizes that both academic achievement and health education play a pivotal role in combatting systemic challenges that girls face, especially those growing up within a culture of generational poverty.
After collaborating with Upward, Inc. for more than 6 years, Cohen saw that the demand for a skating enriched education program grew well beyond their walls. With tremendous support from the community and parents, Figure Skating in Harlem was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3).
What started out with a handful of girls and a dream to figure skate, soon became a leading girls empowerment organization; the first ever to combine rigorous academic support, with leadership development, and access to the artistic discipline of figure skating.
OUR RESPONSE
After two decades, FSH continues to be the only education, ice skating and leadership program of its kind in the country. We enjoy the support of the community as well as US Figure Skating, and many Olympians.
All recognize the effectiveness and the proven, measurable results of our model. 96% reported improved leadership skills, 90% of students showed an improved competency in STEM concepts, and 80% of students showed improvement in reading or math using FSH’s standardized computer assessment.
In 2014, in fact, The International Olympic Committee featured FSH as a model organization in its Get Moving! Guide to Managing Sport for All Programs. Clearly, the benefits to our girls are numerous. They learn skills that require hard work, physical coordination, mental concentration, focus and creativity. Through participation on and off the ice, girls develop basic competencies that will serve them throughout their lives.
The evidence shows that our students achieve higher school grades, develop stronger bodies, and most important, girls report increased feelings of personal accomplishment and self-worth. Perhaps this is why the vast majority of our students keep coming back year after year and 100% of our graduating seniors go on to higher education, attending colleges like Brown, Spelman, Georgetown, Boston College and many more.
