Academy of Public Relations

Test scores here are significantly below the District 7 average — the 19.4% ELA proficiency and 6.8% math proficiency place this school among the lowest performers in the borough. Looking at the trend, scores have been volatile: ELA peaked at 27.8% in 2024 but dropped to 19.4% in 2025, while math has hovered between 5-14% with no clear upward trajectory. Grade 8 shows the strongest ELA performance (28.9%) but the weakest math (2.2%), suggesting math instruction may be particularly struggling as students advance. Compared to the district's 51% ELA and 49% math averages, students here are performing at roughly one-third to one-half the rate of their district peers.

Here's where the picture gets interesting: parent satisfaction sits at 99%, with 100% trust in both teachers and the principal. Teachers report 93% trust in leadership and 100% collegial trust among themselves. However, only 75% rate instruction quality as strong — suggesting while relationships are healthy, parents and teachers may have different views on what's happening in classrooms. The attendance story is concerning: overall chronic absenteeism at 68.7% means most students are missing significant school time, with male students missing even more (77.3%) than females (55.9%). The school has maintained a low suspension rate (1%), with just one suspension last year, indicating minimal behavioral issues. The disconnect between high trust/satisfaction and poor attendance is worth understanding before enrolling.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (79%) with 20% Black students and very small Asian and White populations — reflecting the Melrose neighborhood's demographics. With 93.4% economic need index, nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 38% have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The diversity index of 32% is low, meaning the student population is fairly homogeneous. This is a school serving one of the city's most economically disadvantaged communities, where families face significant barriers to consistent attendance and academic support at home.

Melrose is a high-poverty Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges: only 14% of residents have a bachelor's degree, and just 10% own their homes. The median home value of $365,899 reflects the area's affordable housing stock, but with median income around $30,000, many families are cost-burdened. Transit access is strong (78th percentile) but safety scores are concerning (2nd percentile), and the environment shows elevated asthma rates and lead exposure risks. With only 16% of households having children, this is not a particularly family-dense area, though the school draws students from across the district.

Transit access is strong, but families should factor in the neighborhood's safety considerations when planning daily commutes. Many students likely take district transportation or arrive via bus given the attendance challenges.