Achievement First Apollo Charter School

This school outperforms District 19 averages significantly — ELA proficiency of 54.6% is nearly 6 points above the district average of 48.9%, and math at 64% is a full 16 points above the district's 48.2%. Looking at the full picture, though, the trajectory matters: scores peaked in 2018-2019 (ELA at 65%, math at 84%) before COVID, then dropped sharply in 2022 (ELA at 48%, math at 46%), and have been clawing back since. The 2025 numbers show the school has recovered to pre-pandemic math levels but is still about 10 points below 2019 peak in ELA. Grade-level data shows younger students performing strongest — Grade 3 and 4 students excel in math (78% and 85%), while Grade 6 shows the most struggle across subjects.

The data here tells a mixed story. Teacher-reported instruction quality is strong at 88%, and teachers report feeling safe (92%), which suggests confidence in school leadership among staff. However, family engagement appears minimal — the family survey response rate was 0%, with only 3 responses received. This low participation rate is itself a signal that families may feel disconnected from the school community, or that outreach isn't reaching them effectively. The chronic absenteeism rate of 70.5% is the most concerning climate metric — it means a significant portion of students are missing substantial school time, which affects classroom community and academic momentum.

The student body is 50% Black, 39% Hispanic, 8% Asian, and 2% Native American — reflecting the demographics of Cypress Hills, a neighborhood where the majority of residents are people of color and many families face economic hardship (78% economic need index). With 927 students across grades K-8 and an average class size of 22, the school is mid-sized. Only 10% of students have IEPs, which is lower than many district schools, suggesting the school may serve fewer students with individualized learning needs.

Cypress Hills is a predominantly residential neighborhood in eastern Brooklyn with a family density score of 71 (high for families with kids) but lower education orientation (33). Median household income is $66,262 with a 17.6% poverty rate — working-class, not wealthy, but not the poorest either. Transit access is decent (66), though safety scores are lower (38). The neighborhood has limited green space (parks score 23), so families may look elsewhere for outdoor recreation. The median home value of $659,257 has risen significantly, reflecting broader Brooklyn pressures.

families typically arrive by walking from the surrounding Cypress Hills blocks or by bus; the area is pedestrian-friendly for local residents but not particularly walkable from farther-flung neighborhoods