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Improving public schools and access to good education was an early focus of Morningside Heights, Inc. MHInc. advocated tirelessly for the construction of a new school, and helped to connect local public schools with the wealth of resources offered by MHInc members including Teachers College and Columbia University.

Planning/Advocating for strong education:

In 1948, MH Inc. conducts a door-to-door survey of 16,578 families that reveals the need for a new elementary school in Morningside Heights.
The MHInc. Institutional Committee on Schools is formed to assist existing schools and advocate for the creation of new schools. As its first act MHInc sponsors a consultant to work with teachers at the neighborhood elementary school, PS 125.

MHInc. releases "Schools and a Good Community" report in 1955 proposing a new public elementary school be built in Morningside Heights and prepares the first sketches of what will become PS 36.
The Institutional Committee on Schools develops programs at PS 125.

MHInc. begins work with PS 165 that will include evening ESL classes for parents, health and nutrition classes for students, and the establishment of an afternoon community center.
After years of public demand, PS 36 opens in 1967 as an early childhood school. The neighborhood schools are known jointly as PS 36-125 and operate under one administration.

The times of social unrest of the 60's bring conflict and dormancy to many programs:

A boycott at PS 125 occurs in reaction to community perceptions of inadequate educational standards and the school temporarily closes.
MHInc.’s direct work with the schools slowly draws to a close in the early 1970s.

Morningside Area Alliance plays a growing role in neighborhood security. During periods of difficulty, the safety patrols and stationary posts in the neighborhood provided an increased sense of public safety to the community. MAA’s safety patrols in combination with thriving youth programming provided important support for the renewal of Morningside Heights.

1974 -MAA hires a new Director with extensive security and police experience to focus on growing public safety efforts
1986 - Reacting to concern over increased drug activity, MAA security programs increase the number and hours of foot posts
1988 – New security booths are established at 116th Street and Morningside Drive and 547 Riverside Drive

Reeling from the impact of 9/11, lack of funding presented challenges for MAA:

Plans for the Morningside Heights Childcare Center in fall 2002 were cancelled.
Job Connection struggled and eventually closed.
Youth programs at the Stone Gym ceased

MAA resolved to find new ways to meet the needs of the community on two major issues:

Improvement in local public education and
The need for affordable housing in response to increased gentrification.

MAA publishes the "Upper Manhattan Community Profile," providing community statistics on population, housing, health, childcare, parks, public safety and schools in surrounding communities.

2004: MAA makes a five-year commitment to work with local schools on improved academic performance. "Bridge to Excellence Partnership" (B2E) launches, once again connecting PS 125 and MAA.
2005: First B2E "Gathering" brings together 50+ representatives of participant institutions, school administration, teachers and parents.
B2E supports a number of programs and initiatives at PS 125 to meet needs identified by the community.

MAA moves forward, exploring new ways to raise academic performance in community schools and find innovative strategies for affordable housing.

2006: Community Revitalization Committee begins researching possible solutions for affordable housing and social supports in the community.
2007: Science/Math public school consortium evolves as MAA partners with Columbia's School of Engineering Fu Foundation to provide new resources to local K-12 public schools.