Bronx Academy for Software Engineering (BASE)

Academic proficiency data for BASE was not included in the 2024-25 reporting cycle, so direct comparison to the District 10 averages (ELA 45%, Math 43.5%) isn't possible. The school offers AP Courses, and with an average class size matching the district at 22.9 students, class sizes are typical for the area. The economic need index of 85.3% is notably higher than many Bronx schools, meaning students arrive with significant external challenges that teachers and support staff work to address.

This is where BASE shines. Parent satisfaction sits at 93%, nearly matching the district average of 94%, but what stands out is the trust infrastructure: parent-teacher trust reaches 94%, parent-principal trust hits 93%, and teacher instruction quality scores an impressive 92% (above the district average of 91.4%). Teacher-principal trust is somewhat lower at 85%, but teacher collegial trust is strong at 90%, suggesting teachers support each other even if some have reservations about leadership. The most notable achievement: zero suspensions. This is dramatically better than the district average suspension rate of 0.28%, indicating either very effective behavior management, a different approach to discipline, or both. Attendance averages 90.8%, matching the district average exactly.

BASE serves 438 students in a predominantly Hispanic (66%) and Black (26%) school, reflecting the surrounding Belmont neighborhood which has significant Hispanic and Black populations. The diversity index of 49% is moderate. With 85.3% economic need and 28% IEP students, this is a high-need student body — meaning the school serves students facing considerable challenges outside school walls. The student body is quite different from District 10's more affluent areas near Riverdale, but aligns with the broader Bronx demographic patterns.

Belmont is a working-class Bronx neighborhood with significant economic challenges: median household income of $32,956, 37.7% poverty rate, and only 13.1% of residents holding a bachelor's degree. Just 3.8% of residents own homes. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (2.3 percentile) and has environmental health concerns including elevated lead rates (15.2%) and high asthma emergency visits (75.5 per 1,000). However, it has decent transit access (58.62 percentile) and family density (55.56 percentile). For BASE families, the neighborhood context matters: this is not a wealthy suburban-feeling area, but a real Bronx community where families make do with limited resources.

Belmont is relatively walkable with moderate transit access. Families from across the Bronx and potentially beyond use public transportation to reach the school, which is accessible via several bus routes.