Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School:
Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Harambee Institute exists to offer our community an education with a focus on the origins, current status, and future of the African world.

Our mission is to educate students to succeed as global citizens with a clear awareness of “who I am, where I am from, where I am going, and how I get there.”

Our vision is a collective and informed African American community utilizing science and technology as a means of promoting education for self-reliance, locally and globally.

Our core values are:

Greatness: Pursuit of excellence in all we do
Accountability: Owning what we do and who we are
Innovation: Open to new ideas with a growth mindset
Integrity: Honesty, transparency, and unity in all we do

The HBCU Tour Goes Down South!

A message from the CEO

Harambee Family,

As we open the doors to a new school year, I am filled with immense pride and excitement! Over the past year, we have accomplished so much together, and I am eager to share our successes and our plans for the future with you.

First and foremost, I want to highlight some of our significant achievements. Our students have excelled academically with record-breaking PSSA test scores, with the numerous scholarships awarded to our students as well and their acceptance into the top high schools in the city of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Region. Our athletic team has shown exceptional sportsmanship and skill, bringing home the Middle School City-Wide Championship in Basketball. Our arts programs have flourished, with stunning performances and exhibitions that have received accolades from the community displayed by the murals on the walls of our corridors, as well as in our First Cultural Fashion Show at our Annual Afrikan Street Festival. Additionally, our teachers and staff have continued to innovate in the classroom, implementing new teaching strategies and technologies that have enriched our students' learning experiences providing them with the world class education they so richly deserve.

As we embark on this new school year, our theme is: "Plans Have Changed, but Our Purpose Remains the Same." This theme reflects our commitment to adaptability and resilience in the face of change while staying true to our core mission of providing equitable access to educational resources and opportunities for all our students.

Over the summer, we have been hard at work refining our strategies and making necessary adjustments to our plans. We have upgraded our facilities, incorporated new technologies, and developed new programs to better support our students' diverse needs. While our plans may evolve, our dedication to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and high-achieving academic environment remains steadfast.

Our purpose—to inspire, challenge, and empower every student to reach their full potential—continues to guide us in everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that each student has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, both academically and personally.

I am confident that this year will be filled with new opportunities and successes. I encourage each of you to embrace the changes with an open mind and a positive attitude. Together, we will continue to build on our achievements and make this school year one of the best yet.

Welcome back to Harambee! Let’s make this year extraordinary!

Asante Sana,
Baba Shannon

Education for Self-Reliance

Help us build something great. HISTCS teachers, staff, and advisory groups are working hard everyday to create a high-quality student experience. If you’re a parent, community leader, or part of a larger organization we urge you to sign up for one of our volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, or attend any of our upcoming events. Let’s pull together for our kids and our community!

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