Bronx Arts and Science Charter School

Test scores have climbed dramatically since 2022 — ELA proficiency rose from 15.4% to 46.3% and math from 9.2% to 49% — landing the school essentially at the district average in ELA (46.2%) and slightly above in math (48%). The schoolwide quality score of 1.91/4 is just above the district average of 1.88, which puts Bronx Arts and Science in solid mid-tier territory rather than at the top of the pack. The growth trajectory is the real story here: whatever the school changed between 2022 and 2025 worked, and gains have been steady year over year rather than a one-time bump. Grade 5 ELA hits 60.4% proficiency, the school's high point, while grade-band math scores are more variable — worth asking the school what drives that.

Here's where the picture gets complicated. The 92.6% attendance rate is comfortably above the district average of 89.4%, but 73.8% of students are chronically absent — meaning nearly three out of four kids miss 10% or more of the school year. That gap between daily attendance and chronic absenteeism isn't unusual, but the rate itself is high and shows up across every demographic group listed. The family survey response rate is essentially zero (one response out of the whole school), so we have no meaningful read on how parents feel about communication, safety, or instruction quality. Without that signal, parents should plan to visit in person and ask other families directly what the culture feels like day-to-day.

The student body is 62% Hispanic, 25% Black, 6% Asian, 3% White, and 1% multiracial — a makeup that mirrors the working-class, family-oriented character of Castle Hill-Unionport, where the median household income is $53,555 and nearly a quarter of residents live below the poverty line. The school's economic need index of 77.3 confirms that most families here are navigating real financial pressure. With 306 students across PK through 7th grade and an average class size of 22.6 (right at the district average), classes feel neighborhood-sized rather than packed. About 11% of students have IEPs, which is in line with district norms.

Castle Hill-Unionport is a solidly working-class, family-rooted stretch of the eastern Bronx where homeownership is relatively low (33.8%) and most households rent. The median home value sits around $591,000, which is high for the area's income level and reflects broader borough trends. About 13.7% of households have children under 18 — a modest share — and 17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school sits in a neighborhood where families are likely to arrive by car, bus, or school transportation rather than on foot from far away.

The nearest subway options are the Zerega Av (6) and Castle Hill Av (6) stations, both about an 18–19 minute walk from the school — that's a real hike for young kids, so most families will rely on buses, cars, or pickup.