Bold Charter School

These numbers are remarkable for a district where the average ELA proficiency is just 45% and math is 43%. Bold's current scores — 84% ELA and 91% math — place it among the highest-performing schools in the Bronx. The trajectory is especially notable: over four years, math proficiency climbed steadily from 66% to 91%, and ELA jumped sharply from the low 60s to 84% in the most recent year. Grade-level data shows consistent strength across grades 3-5, with math hitting 92.5% in grade 4 and ELA reaching 86% in grade 5.

The survey data tells a nuanced story. Parents love this school — 97% satisfaction with 96% trust in teachers and 95% trust in the principal. Teachers themselves rate instruction quality at 98% and report feeling safe (94%), though teacher-principal trust sits lower at 88% and collegial trust at 87%. The catch: chronic absenteeism is a massive 77%, driven higher by female students (80%) and Hispanic students (83%) compared to males (74%) and Black students (60%). With 93% attendance rate but three-quarters of students missing significant school time, there's a disconnect between what families value and whether kids are actually showing up.

At 240 students across grades K-7, this is a small school with a demographics profile that mirrors its neighborhood: 64% Hispanic, 28% Black, and very small Asian and White populations. Nearly 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch (economic need index of 90%), and 19% have IEPs. The diversity index of 53% reflects a predominantly Hispanic and Black student body — families here are working-class and mostly renting (only 13% homeownership in the neighborhood).

Soundview-Bruckner-Bronx River is a working-class neighborhood with significant challenges. The median household income is just $41,000, and 32% of residents live below the poverty line. Only 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree, and homeownership is rare at 13%. The safety score of 15 (in the bottom percentile) is a real concern for families — crime density and environmental health indicators (lead exposure, asthma rates) suggest elevated risks. On the upside, the area has high family density and stability, with strong transit access (49th percentile).

Families arrive primarily by foot and bus — the neighborhood is walkable but families should consider safety routes, particularly given the low safety percentile scores in the area