Amber Charter School Kingsbridge

ELA proficiency at 60.5% and math at 58.1% place this charter well above District 10's averages of 45% and 43.5% respectively, translating to roughly 15+ percentage points of outperformance. However, the five-year trend shows volatility — scores peaked in 2019 (ELA 69.2%, Math 97.4%), then dipped through 2022-2024 before recovering in 2025. The grade-by-grade breakdown reveals a notable pattern: elementary performance is strong (Grade 3 ELA at 81.1%, Grade 4 math at 81.7%), but middle school grades dip significantly, with Grade 7 showing the lowest proficiency (ELA 40.3%, math 36.8%). This suggests the school may be excelling at early literacy and numeracy but losing ground as students move into adolescence.

The survey data is exceptional across nearly every dimension — 94% parent satisfaction, 96% parent-teacher trust, and a remarkable 99% teacher-principal trust, with teachers reporting 100% safety in the building. These numbers suggest strong leadership and a collaborative environment where families and staff feel genuinely supported. Attendance at 92.5% runs slightly above the district average, though the 74.1% chronic absenteeism rate is a significant concern that suggests underlying challenges with daily engagement despite the positive sentiment. The disconnect between high trust/satisfaction and high chronic absenteeism is worth examining — families may love the school culture but struggle with getting kids there consistently.

With 82% Hispanic and 13% Black students, Amber Charter reflects the demographic makeup of Kingsbridge-Marble Hill, where Hispanic residents represent the majority. The economic need index of 77.4% indicates most families qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the diversity index of 32% is relatively low for the city. At 551 students across K-8 with an average class size of 22.9, the school maintains a manageable scale. Fourteen percent of students have IEPs, roughly comparable to district norms.

Kingsbridge-Marble Hill sits in the north Bronx with strong transit connectivity (78.93 transit score) and family density (51.72), though safety scores (20.69) suggest elevated crime density concerns that are common in this part of the Bronx. The area has a 27.7% poverty rate with a median household income of $53,729, though 30.5% of residents hold bachelor's degrees — suggesting an educated parent population despite economic challenges. Homeownership is low at 16.8%, meaning most families rent. The neighborhood's stability score (81.61) is high, indicating long-term residents.

The area is reasonably walkable with good transit access, though families should factor in the neighborhood's safety scores when considering commutes, especially for younger children walking alone.