NEW YORK, NY – March 28th, 2016 – Renowned Capital Preparatory Schools announced today that it has been tapped by Sean “Diddy” Combs to open a new school in Harlem beginning Fall 2016. Combs spent five years meeting privately with community leaders and education experts in an effort to expand educational opportunities for young men and women in Harlem and build leaders from the community.  The result of this groundwork is the Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School, which will be overseen by innovative educator and founder of Capital Preparatory Schools, Dr. Steve Perry.

Combs, who is a Harlem native and longtime proponent of education and opportunity for young people, first conceived of the school in 2011. After an exhaustive search for the best educational model and partner, Combs selected Capital Preparatory Schools to run the project.  Combs has also worked closely with Dr. Perry over several years to build community support and enlist a team of educators, parents and business leaders to bring the idea to fruition.

Mr. Combs, along with the board, has selected Danita Jones, an esteemed educator from Orlando, to serve as Principal of Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School, which will be located at 1 East 104th Street, New York, NY. The school is committed to enlisting some of the most committed teachers, and is currently seeking talented educators from across the country to re-locate to Harlem.

"Creating this school is a dream come true for me. I want to impact the lives of young people in my community, and build future leaders. The first step is offering access to a quality education,” said Sean “Diddy” Combs.  “Every young person should have the tools they need to succeed. All our children should be able to pursue their dreams.  That is something I can impact with this school."

“Every day, we see so many young men and women of Harlem persevere in their quest to become well-educated and engaged citizens. We are thrilled to be part of a growing community that is committed to helping them do so,” said Chris Watler, Board Chair of the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem. “We appreciate the immense amount of energy put into laying the groundwork for every incredible addition to our neighborhood. Especially those with the sole purpose of preparing Harlem's kids to succeed.”

In addition to being a leading supporter of the new school in Harlem, Combs longtime strategic adviser, Derek Ferguson, is the head of the school’s board.  The board also includes: Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, author and spiritual life coach; Reverend Georgiette Morgan Thomas, pastor of Mustard Seed Faith Ministry, vice chair Community Board 9, Member Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Former President East Bronx National Council of Negro Women, board of managers Harlem YMCA; Harlem resident Vince Morgan; Maurice Coleman, senior vice president, Community Development Banking, Bank of America; and Dr. Perry.

“I’m inspired by Sean Combs’ belief that educating our young people is the key to opening up a world of opportunity for them,” said Dr. Perry.  “Sean and I have spent many long hours over the last five years talking about education and how best to meet the needs of the young people of Harlem, and I couldn’t be more pleased to continue this journey through the opening of the school.”

Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School is also currently accepting applications for students in the 6th and 7th grades.  The school will expand a grade each year until it is fully enrolled at 700 students in grades 6 through 12.  Those who are interested in applying as either a student or staff should go to www.capitalprepharlem.org.

Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School is a replication school of Capital Preparatory Magnet founded by Dr. Steve Perry in 2005 and located in Hartford, CT. Dr. Perry has lead Capital Preparatory Magnet School for the last 10 years to 100% of high school graduates being accepted to college. Believing passionately in student success, Capital Preparatory Schools replication model started with CapitalPreparatory Harbor in Bridgeport, CT in 2015 and will continue in New York with Capital Preparatory Harlem in 2016. Learn more about Capital Preparatory Schools and Dr. Perry at www.wearecapitalprep.org.