HITN has donated 50 iPads to WHIN Music Community Charter School in Washington Heights, providing new technology that students will use when classes resume for this school year.

Representatives from HITN recently visited the school to learn more about its educational programs and to see firsthand how the devices will support classroom instruction.

Located in the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood of Washington Heights, WHIN serves a student body that is more than 80 percent Hispanic or Latino, with approximately 12 percent identifying as African American. The school enrolls students from kindergarten through eighth grade, drawing families from both Washington Heights and neighboring Inwood. Its name reflects those two communities.

WHIN is the first charter school in New York City built around the principles of El Sistema, the internationally recognized music education model founded in Venezuela more than five decades ago. The program is based on the belief that access to music is a fundamental human right. In addition to a traditional academic curriculum, every student receives approximately two hours of music instruction each school day.

During their visit, the HITN delegation toured the campus, observed students participating in summer classes and visited classrooms where music and academic instruction were underway. School leaders also outlined the institution’s educational philosophy, facilities and the resources available to students.

Administrators highlighted the school’s mission of serving children from historically underserved communities. Tuition is free, and admission is determined through a random lottery system among applicants, ensuring equal access regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.

For HITN, supporting educational initiatives in the communities it serves is an extension of its longstanding mission to educate, entertain and empower Hispanic audiences. The donation reflects the organization’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and helping students gain access to the technology and resources they need to succeed.