Achievement First Bushwick Charter School

This school delivers strong academic results compared to District 32 peers — ELA proficiency at 60.3% and math at 65.5% beat the district averages of 45.9% and 43.2% by roughly 15-20 percentage points. However, the trajectory tells a more complicated story: scores peaked in 2018 (ELA 74.1%, math 88.2%), dropped sharply in 2022 (math cratered to 48.8%), and have been climbing back since. The most recent year shows solid recovery in math (66.2%) with more modest ELA gains (60.3%). Looking at grade-level data, older students perform markedly better — Grade 8 ELA hits 74.2% and Grade 6 math reaches 70.4% — while younger grades lag, suggesting early elementary intervention may be a growth area.

The attendance picture is a mixed bag: the overall attendance rate of 93.1% sits slightly above the district average, but chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 78.3% — meaning roughly 4 in 5 students missed enough school to be considered chronically absent. This pattern hits Hispanic students hardest (81.8%) compared to Black students (66.8%). Parent satisfaction at 89.2% trails the district average of 93.2%, and teacher instruction quality scores (74.8%) fall below the district's already-lower 86.1%. These signals suggest a school where academic outcomes are strong but day-to-day experience — particularly around attendance culture and teacher working conditions — may need attention. The 25% IEP population is notable and suggests the school serves a substantial number of students with special needs.

With 938 students across grades K-8, this is a mid-sized school serving a community that's 72% Hispanic and 24% Black, with minimal Asian (1%) and White (2%) enrollment. The economic need index of 79.4% indicates most families qualify for free or reduced lunch, and a quarter of students have IEPs — a higher share than many district schools. The neighborhood surrounding the school is predominantly renter-occupied (only 11.1% homeownership) with a high family density (72.41 percentile) and a relatively educated population (44.4% BA or higher). This is a working-class, immigrant-heavy community with significant needs but also strong stability markers despite low homeownership.

Bushwick is a neighborhood of contrasts: excellent transit access (84.29 percentile) makes commuting easy, but safety scores are low (17.62 percentile) — in the bottom fifth of the city. The area has seen significant gentrification pressure, with median home values now at $882,472 despite a 20.4% poverty rate. Family density is high, and the education orientation score (59.39) suggests this is a neighborhood where families are invested in schools. There's moderate lead exposure risk (21.2% elevated rate) and elevated asthma rates (104.4 per 1,000) — environmental factors worth knowing for families with health sensitivities. Parks and outdoor space are limited compared to more residential areas.

Highly walkable and transit-accessible — the neighborhood scores well on walkability and transit, making it practical for families without cars. However, the low safety percentile means evening arrivals and departures warrant attention.