Bronx Academy for Software Engineering (BASE)

BASE offers AP courses, a STEM track with robotics, Spanish language instruction, and dedicated ELL services — a richer academic menu than many neighborhood options, reflected in the program richness score of 88.6 out of 100. Average class size of 22.9 matches the district average, so students aren't getting unusually small sections despite the screened admissions. The school pairs its coursework with structured college exposure: every grade level takes college trips, and an iMentor program pairs students with adult mentors.

BASE posted zero suspensions in the most recent reporting period — a striking data point for any high school, and especially notable in a high-need setting. Parent survey numbers are strong: 93% parent satisfaction, 94% parent-teacher trust, and 93% parent-principal trust all suggest families feel heard and connected to the school. Teachers rate the instructional environment at 92% and trust their colleagues at 90%, though trust in principal leadership runs a bit lower at 85%. A word of caution: only 23 teachers and 65 families responded to the surveys, so these numbers are directionally useful but not as solid as a high-response snapshot would be.

BASE's student body is 66% Hispanic, 26% Black, 3% Asian, 2% White, and 1% Native American, with a diversity index of 49% — a Hispanic-plurality population that mirrors the surrounding Belmont neighborhood. Economic need is high at 85.3%, and 28% of students have IEPs, well above typical rates. The school draws from across the borough and city through its screened ed-opt admissions, so the classroom community is shaped both by neighborhood families and by households willing to travel for a STEM-themed program.

Belmont is a densely populated, working-class neighborhood where about 38% of residents live below the poverty line and median household income sits around $33,000. Only 11% of households have children under 18, and just 4% own their homes — this is overwhelmingly a neighborhood of renters. About 13% of adults here hold a bachelor's degree or higher, roughly a quarter of the citywide rate, pointing to a community where many working adults didn't follow the four-year college path. Families considering BASE should expect a neighborhood that feels lived-in and unglamorous, but also rooted and family-oriented.

The two nearest subway stations are both about a 16–18 minute walk from the school: Pelham Parkway and Bronx Park East, both served by the 2 and 5 trains. The walk is realistic for older students but long for younger siblings, and most families will likely rely on school buses or a car drop-off to get to campus.