TEP serves 5th through 8th grade students in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City. Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood, is located in NYC Community School District 6.

TEP opened in September of 2009 with approximately 120 5th graders in four classes of 30 students. TEP will continue to add a new cohort of 5th grade students each year, growing to full capacity in 2012. At full capacity, TEP will serve 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and will have an estimated total enrollment of 480 students. TEP will soon be accepting applications for students who will enter 5th grade in September 2011.

TEP's current student population is as follows:

► 89% Latino students and 11% African American students

► The vast majority of TEP students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

► Approximately 25% of TEP students are classified as English Language Learners (ELLs).

► Approximately 18% of TEP's students are Special Education.

In serving middle school students in Washington Heights, TEP meets several important community needs:

► Provides a  High-Quality Educational Option to District 6 Students

► Offers an Educational Program with a Strong Language-Development Emphasis to the Community with a very high concentration of English Language Learners (ELLs)

► Focuses on Middle School Population in High Poverty District with 97% Latino and African American Students

► Eases Overcrowding in District 6 Schools