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Elementary School Campus (Grades 2–4)

TEP’s Elementary School program serves students in 2nd through 4th grade, building strong academic skills while nurturing curiosity, confidence, and independence. Our classrooms emphasize literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies through engaging, rigorous instruction that supports every learner. 

Students benefit from small-group instruction, hands-on learning, and a supportive school culture that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and a love of learning. Through the 3A’s—Academics, Arts, and Athletics—students continue to grow intellectually, creatively, and physically as they prepare for the transition to middle school.

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Learning that moves from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”

In Elementary School at TEP, students move from “learning to read” — the foundation of literacy at the Early Childhood — to “reading to learn.” Students continue to refine their reading fluency while developing comprehension skills to understand what they are reading. TEP’s outstanding team of teachers leverage thematically-centered texts to help students build their knowledge. Students also learn to see themselves as authors and characters in their own stories. Students use editing checklists and peer review to revise their work and provide feedback before publishing a final piece.

Math foundations and problem solving

TEP’s Math curriculum for Kindergarten through 5th grade is built around key principles such as the use of visual models, hands-on manipulatives, engaging skills workouts, and exploratory learning. The program uses Bridges in Mathematics, which is aligned with NYS Next Gen and national Common Core Standards and is designed to tap into students’ natural curiosity and love of learning. A strong emphasis is placed on student ownership, particularly through the Workplaces component, where students independently apply and practice math skills in games and cooperative activities. Instruction is grounded in a growth mindset and includes a variety of learning structures such as problem solving, investigations, math forums, and problem strings. The daily Number Corner component provides ongoing practice and review, helping students build a rigorous and enjoyable foundation in mathematics.

Campus environment

TEP’s Elementary School Campus is located in Washington Heights and is based in a trailer campus setting, providing students with a safe and welcoming learning environment that supports their academic and social development. The campus includes easy access to outdoor spaces that are used for transitions to Music, Physical Education, and recess, allowing students to move, play, and reset throughout the day. In addition, the campus is home to a burgeoning library, a dedicated space designed to foster a love of reading, exploration, and independent learning. This library supports classroom instruction while also giving students opportunities to discover new books, build research skills, and develop a lifelong appreciation for literature.

Student life & community

Beyond academics, students participate in advisory, academic enrichment & support, recess, interest-based clubs, and community gatherings that support their social and emotional growth and strengthen connections across the school. These experiences help students build meaningful relationships with peers and adults, develop leadership skills, and practice collaboration and communication. Through deliberately structured activities, students learn to celebrate the community’s diversity and strength, take responsibility and ownership, express themselves, and contribute positively to their school and the larger community. Together, these elements create a strong sense of belonging and ensure that every student feels supported, valued, and connected as a member of the TEP community.

The 3A’s in action: Academics, Arts & Athletics

Elementary students experience a whole-child education that balances strong academics with rich arts instruction and daily opportunities for physical activity, supporting their intellectual, creative, and physical development. This integrated approach helps students build strong foundational skills in core subjects while also encouraging self-expression, imagination, and healthy movement. By nurturing both the mind and body, TEP creates an environment where students can grow as well-rounded learners and develop the confidence, curiosity, and resilience needed for long-term success. In Grades 2-4, students learn to play badminton, soccer, basketball, and variety of other team-based sports to build collaboration and teamwork.

How to apply to the Elementary School Campus

TEP is a free New York City public charter school open to all eligible students. TEP welcomes all students to our inclusive setting, including Multi-Lingual Learners and students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). 

Families apply through TEP’s online enrollment application, which is always accessible to all interested families. Families may also apply in-person at any of our TEP locations. The application process is designed to be straightforward and equitable, ensuring that every family has an opportunity to apply. 

TEP continues to accept student applications on a rolling basis for all grades. If/when the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, admission is determined through a fair and transparent waitlist process.  

To learn more about TEP’s enrollment process, visit Apply to Enroll | The Equity Project Charter School (TEP) 

FAQ

The Elementary School Campus serves students in Grades 2 through 4, providing a dedicated learning environment tailored to the academic and developmental needs of upper elementary students. During these years, students build on early foundational skills, deepen their understanding across core subjects, and grow in independence as learners.

TEP’s Elementary School Campus is located at 549 Audubon Ave., Trailer 30, New York, NY 10040, in the Washington Heights community. This site serves as a central learning hub for students in the elementary grades and provides a safe, accessible location for families, staff, and students to gather for daily instruction, enrichment, and school activities.

Yes. TEP’s Elementary School Campus is located in the Washington Heights community and serves students in Grades 2–4. This campus is designed to support upper elementary learners as they build on early academic foundations, deepen their skills across core subjects, and continue developing socially and emotionally in a structured, supportive school environment.

The campus is located in a trailer-based setting and includes access to outdoor spaces that support daily transitions to specials, physical education, and recess. These outdoor areas provide students with opportunities to move, reset, and engage in physical activity throughout the school day, contributing to their overall wellness and readiness to learn.

Yes. The campus is home to TEP’s first school library, a dedicated space intentionally designed to help instill a love of learning and reading in students. The library supports independent exploration, literacy development, and curiosity by giving students access to a wide range of books and resources in a welcoming, student-centered environment.

Students participate in advisory, choice time, recess, clubs, and community gatherings as part of their daily school life, providing opportunities to build strong relationships and a sense of community. These experiences support students’ social and emotional development, encourage leadership and collaboration, and help create a school environment where students feel connected, supported, and engaged beyond the classroom.

If seats become available in another grade level, TEP fills those openings using the existing waitlist for that specific cohort. Students are offered seats in order according to the lottery ranking and admissions priorities, ensuring a fair and consistent process for all applicants.

Yes. TEP is a free New York City public charter school, providing tuition-free education to eligible students across the city. As a public school, it is open to all families and committed to offering high-quality academic programming and equitable access regardless of background.

Elementary School

Our very own outdoor oasis for learning!

Our Elementary School campus is located in trailers – hidden in the heart of Washington Heights.  It is the home to our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students. When students aren’t busy learning in their cozy classroom trailers, students branch out into the sunshine and explore the surrounding nature and enclaves of zen.  Students enjoy the fresh air – transitioning from their homeroom to their daily Specials classes, participating in PE or recreational activities on the field, gathering in community on the bleachers, or playing outside during recess.  

Our Elementary School campus is also home to TEP’s first-ever school library, a campus hub created to instill a love of learning. The fiction room is filled with beautiful paintings that take students off into an imaginary world, perfect for read-alouds, storytelling, and partner reading, while the non-fiction room has desks, a reference section, and curricular materials to encourage study and research. 

Campus Info

Elementary: Grades 2-4

(646) 254-6451

TEP Charter School
549 Audubon Ave., Trailer 30
New York, NY 10040

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Middle School