At a Glance
A high-demand high school where families feel heard but teacher workforce stability is a question mark
Families who prioritize a welcoming, trustworthy school culture over top test scores, are comfortable with Bushwick's transit access despite safety considerations, and want a smaller high school (275 students) with strong extracurricular options. Particularly well-suited for families who value parent-teacher relationships and want their voices heard.
- Near-unanimous parent trust (99% parent-teacher trust, 98% parent-principal trust) — families clearly feel heard and valued
- Zero suspensions — discipline approach differs markedly from district average of 1.2%
- Strong program variety including AP, STEM, world languages (French/Spanish), and arts — 100/100 program richness score
- High parent satisfaction (95%) despite academic challenges — suggests families prioritize culture over test scores
- Highly competitive admissions (33% offer rate) indicating community demand
- Test scores lag district averages — families seeking strong academic performance should ask about interventions
- Very few teacher survey responses (13) — makes it hard to assess teacher experience and leadership from the staff side
- Teacher collegial trust is low (36%) and teacher-principal trust is moderate (70%) — possible staff turnover or culture issues
- Low safety score (23.75) in the surrounding neighborhood — families should visit at different times of day
- Only 47% family survey response rate — while 124 families responded, a majority did not, so the voice may not represent all parents
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 32
District 32 includes several high-performing charter schools (Success Academy Bushwick at 96/100, All City Leadership at 76/100) that outperform this school on quality metrics. Against district averages, this school falls below in academics but exceeds in parent satisfaction and surpasses in discipline (zero suspensions vs. 1.2% district average). It occupies a middle tier among District 32 high schools — not elite but serving a clear community function.
Test scores sit below the District 32 averages — both ELA (not reported in detail but would be below the 46% district average based on context) and math place this school in the lower tier. With 89.8% economic need and 19% IEP students, the population faces real challenges. That said, the school offers AP courses and maintains a class size (20.8) that matches the district average, giving students individualized attention. Without multi-year trend data, it's hard to read momentum, but the academic program is present — what's uncertain is whether outcomes are improving.
The survey tells a striking story: families are very satisfied (95%) and trust teachers (99%) and the principal (98%) at exceptionally high rates. Teacher-reported safety is solid at roughly 96%. But only 13 teachers responded to the survey — too small a sample to draw reliable conclusions about the teacher experience. What we do see: zero suspensions, suggesting either effective behavior management or a very different disciplinary approach. The disconnect between high parent trust and sparse teacher voice is notable and worth a parent visit to understand.
This is a predominantly Hispanic (80%) student body with meaningful Black (14%) and very small Asian (1%) and White (4%) populations — reflecting the broader Bushwick neighborhood demographics. With an 89.8% economic need index and 37% diversity index, the school serves students facing significant socioeconomic challenges. The diversity score is relatively low, indicating less socioeconomic and racial mix than some peer schools, but this aligns with the neighborhood's demographics. Nearly 1 in 5 students has an IEP, indicating substantial special education support needs.
Bushwick is a dense, transit-rich neighborhood in north Brooklyn with an 89.66 transit score — families without cars can get around easily. However, the safety score (23.75) is notably low, and the poverty rate sits at 23.9% with just 20.5% homeownership. Median home values have climbed to $949,127, reflecting broader Brooklyn gentrification pressures. Only 11.5% of households have children, making this a neighborhood in transition. There are parks and community resources, though the area's safety concerns are real and should factor into a family's decision.
Given the high transit score, most families arrive via subway or bus — the neighborhood is well-connected. Parents driving should expect typical Brooklyn street parking challenges.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 124 families responded (47% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Academy for Excellence in Leadership a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Academy for Excellence in Leadership yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Bushwick (East).
- What grades does Academy for Excellence in Leadership serve?
- Academy for Excellence in Leadership serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Academy for Excellence in Leadership?
- Academy for Excellence in Leadership admits mostly by lottery, with a modest preference for students who show interest (a tour or info session).
- Is Academy for Excellence in Leadership public, charter, or private?
- Academy for Excellence in Leadership is a public school in NYC Community School District 32.
- What neighborhood is Academy for Excellence in Leadership in?
- Academy for Excellence in Leadership is in Bushwick (East), Brooklyn.
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