Harlem Junior Tennis & Education

Our Mission

HJTEP brings tennis to youth from high-risk, low-income inner-city neighborhoods and offers opportunities for self-development, emphasizing education and a positive code of behavior. 

The Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP), a not-for-profit organization, opens a new door for many inner-city boys and girls, ages 7-18, to learn the game of tennis. We enroll about 1,000 students during the school year and 150-300 in our summer program.

What they experience on the courts, and in our education programs, develops the whole child—in sports, school and life. Tennis teaches kids essential life skills, sportsmanship, self-discipline, social and emotional competence and how to fight obesity and lead healthier lives. In their weekly sessions, participants also learn to improve communication skills and personal hygiene habits.

At HJTEP, we insist on academic achievement and offer educational support. The average GPA of our participants is 3.1. (A 2.0 or higher GPA is required to remain in the program.)

• 90% of our participants earn a high school diploma, compared to the 67% of students who graduate from high school citywide and only 25% in Central Harlem.

Our Players

HJTEP players take tennis seriously, knowing it will enrich their lives. Equally important, our program emphasizes character building. As our players perfect their game and apply the values we teach, they become productive citizens in school, career and life.

• 25% earn tennis scholarships to leading colleges
• 65% receive non-athletic financial aid
• 60% attend college at leading private and public institutions

Our Graduates

Our graduates enroll at top colleges and universities, such as:

• Colby
• Columbia University
• Dartmouth College
• Hampton University
• Harvard University
• Howard University
• Morehouse College
• Mt. Holyoke
• NYU
• Rutgers University
• Syracuse University
• Temple University
• Tulane University
• Xavier University of LA