At a Glance
A pre-K center serving the youngest learners in a high-poverty, transit-rich Bronx neighborhood
Families with 3- and 4-year-olds living in or near Morris Heights who are looking for a free, high-quality early childhood program. This school works best for parents who want a neighborhood-based option and are comfortable with the tradeoffs that come with a high-need urban environment. Families who prioritize documented academic outcomes or school climate data may prefer programs with more robust reporting. A family that would thrive here is one that values convenience, early start, and community proximity over extensive performance metrics.
- Universal pre-K (UPK) admissions — guaranteed seat for all eligible 4-year-olds
- 3K program serving 3-year-old children
- Early childhood focus with developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Located in a family-dense neighborhood where many young children live
- Only 3 teacher survey responses — climate data is statistically unreliable
- No academic proficiency data available (not applicable to pre-K)
- Neighborhood safety metrics are low — parents should visit to assess personally
- High poverty and limited educational attainment in the surrounding community
- Environmental health concerns (lead risk, asthma rates) may be relevant for families with young children
- No K-12 feed — this is purely an early childhood center
Based on 2025 data
School SummaryDistrict
Be Above 52 operates as a standalone pre-K center, making direct comparisons to K-12 schools inappropriate. In the Bronx's early childhood landscape, universal pre-K programs compete based on location, program quality, and family fit rather than test scores. The school occupies a specific niche: serving the youngest learners in a neighborhood where many families are navigating early childhood education for the first time.
As a pre-K center, Be Above 52 does not participate in state ELA or math proficiency assessments. Early childhood programs focus on developmental milestones, social-emotional learning, and school readiness rather than standardized test performance. The lack of academic data reflects the program's focus on our youngest learners, not performance quality.
The school climate data is extremely limited — only three teachers completed the survey, which is insufficient to draw meaningful conclusions about trust, safety, or instructional quality. What can be said is that pre-K settings typically prioritize warm, nurturing environments where young children learn to navigate routines, social interactions, and early academic concepts. Parents considering this school should visit in person to gauge the day-to-day feel and speak directly with staff about their approach to early childhood development.
This pre-K center serves families in one of the Bronx's highest-need neighborhoods. The student body reflects the community's demographics — predominantly low-income families with limited educational attainment (only 15% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher). With 6.5% homeownership in the surrounding area, most families are renters. The neighborhood is highly transient (stability score 67) and family-dense, meaning this pre-K center likely sees a diverse mix of families, many of whom are new to the formal education system.
Morris Heights is a high-density residential neighborhood in the central Bronx with significant challenges. Safety is a concern — the crime density and housing code violation rates are notably high, and the neighborhood scores in the 6th percentile for safety. The area does have strong transit access (70th percentile), making it relatively accessible by public transportation. Environmental health is a concern: 18% of homes have elevated lead risk and the asthma emergency department visit rate is very high (75 per 1,000). The neighborhood has limited green space, though family-oriented resources exist.
The area is densely populated and walkable, but parents should be aware of traffic and neighborhood safety conditions. Many families use public transit — the transit score of nearly 70 reflects good bus and subway access. Street parking can be challenging during peak times.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Be Above 52 a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Be Above 52 yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 3-K to Pre-K in University Heights (South)-Morris Heights.
- What grades does Be Above 52 serve?
- Be Above 52 serves grades 3-K to Pre-K.
- How do students get into Be Above 52?
- Be Above 52 admits through the NYC 3-K and Pre-K application.
- Is Be Above 52 public, charter, or private?
- Be Above 52 is a public school.
- What neighborhood is Be Above 52 in?
- Be Above 52 is in University Heights (South)-Morris Heights, Bronx.
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