Co-op City Tutors

About Co-op City

Co-op City stands apart from other neighborhoods in the boroughs of New York City, and indeed, the rest of the United States, for its distinction as the largest housing development in the entire country. Co-op City has grown so much that what was once a housing development of a few apartment buildings has grown into its own community, with 35+ apartment high-rises and townhomes that make up this small corner of the Bronx.

In the mid-1960s, Co-op City was conceived as a project for the city to serve its low-income residents. Built on a former amusement park’s grounds, Co-op City was originally named “Cooperative City,” but has since had its name shortened. Its given name, and current name too, are appropriate for the vision of this community. They conjure up images of residents helping one another, forging neighborly bonds, and working as a tight-knit enclave to make collectively make a living, often working in other neighborhoods and cities and commuting to get there. Living in state-subsidized housing has eased financial burdens for everyone who resides in Co-op City, and has given over 35,000 people the chance to purchase their own apartments or townhouses for a fraction of their market value. With a foot in the economic door, citizens in Co-op City can become upwardly mobile.

By all accounts, Co-op City residents create a strong sense of community; each new family or individual who wants to purchase within the development must be vetted by those on the housing board, and once they are approved, they also join in participatory living to help keep Co-Op City an idyllic place to live. Parks, bike paths, and other amenities of comfort line the streets, so the only potential commute many residents must undertake is for work and work alone. Residents who have been profiled by such publications as The New York Times report that Co-Op City is a tranquil place to live, with minimal stress, and perfect for small families looking to put down roots. This ideal environment, unlike so many other housing developments across the country, is formed by the spirit of cooperation that has been alive in Co-Op City since its founding.

Tutors in Co-op City are another important factor in this growing community—like the state-subsidized housing that makes up the development, Grade Potential saw a need for increased academic success in its residents and provided it in this little enclave. Tutors in Co-op City work hand in hand with their clients to turn bad grades around and instill a sense of self-confidence in each student they come across. With confidence in place, the youth of Co-op City can pursue their schoolwork with renewed zeal, making this special place in the Bronx an even more harmonious place to live.