Harlem Skating Program Helps 90% of Girls Ace STEM
A nonprofit in Harlem combines figure skating with STEM education, helping girls of color break into a predominantly white sport while boosting their academic skills. After nearly three decades, the program has proven that skating builds more than athletic ability.
Figure skating and science class might seem like an unlikely pair, but in Harlem, they're changing lives together.
Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) offers girls of color something rare: affordable access to a sport that has historically shut them out. The nonprofit provides sliding-scale skating classes alongside academic support, STEM education, and leadership training.
Founded nearly three decades ago, FSH serves a community where figure skating feels worlds away. In a neighborhood made up mostly of Hispanic, Latino, and Black families, the barriers to entering white-dominated sports are especially high.
But founder and CEO Sharon Cohen saw an opportunity, not just for athletic achievement, but for social change. "Our students live in the real world, and at FSH, they are changemakers," Cohen told Beyond Sport.
The results speak volumes. An estimated 84% of FSH students advanced one testing level in skating, while 90% showed improved competency in STEM concepts. The combination of physical discipline and academic rigor creates a powerful formula for success.
The program goes beyond the rink and classroom. FSH connects students to social justice and community activism, teaching them that their participation in figure skating itself is an act of resistance against inequity.
The Ripple Effect
FSH's impact has reached far beyond Harlem. The organization has hosted competitive synchronized skating competitions for 19 years, creating pathways for young skaters to compete at levels previously inaccessible to them.
Disney+ even featured the program in a five-part docuseries called "Harlem Ice," bringing national attention to the barriers in figure skating and the girls breaking through them. The visibility helps other communities imagine similar programs in their own neighborhoods.
Parents have noticed the transformation too. "Self-esteem building, team building, and social awareness – the opportunity afforded them is amazing," said FHS parent Allison Neal Springett.
The program proves that representation matters in every space, from science labs to ice rinks, and that breaking barriers in one area often leads to success in others.
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Based on reporting by Good Good Good
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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