Bronx Dance Academy School

This school punches well above its weight academically. At 64.3% ELA proficiency, it exceeds the District 10 average by nearly 20 percentage points, and math at 48% also runs ahead of the district. The trajectory is striking: ELA has climbed from 28.3% in 2016 to 64.3% in 2025 — more than doubling over nine years. Grade 8 students perform strongest, with 70.2% meeting ELA standards and over half proficient in math. Science proficiency at 40.8% is more modest but still reflects solid instruction. The overall score of 2.25/4 places it above the district average of 1.77.

The survey data tells a clear story: families feel genuinely connected here. Parent satisfaction runs at 94%, with near-perfect trust in the principal (96%) and strong parent-teacher trust (93%). Teachers report 100% instruction quality — a rare finding — and collegial trust sits at 90%. The one area that warrants attention is teacher-principal trust at 82%, which is solid but lower than parent trust, suggesting some behind-the-scenes tension. Attendance at 89.5% is slightly below the district average, and chronic absenteeism at 57.8% is notably high — a pattern common in urban middle schools but still a concern. Discipline is a bright spot: zero suspensions over the past two years, creating a predictable, safe environment.

At 251 students, this is a small school with a predominantly Hispanic student body (77%) and meaningful Black enrollment (18%). The diversity index of 41% reflects this primarily two-group composition. With 87.5% economic need and 26% IEP students, the population reflects Norwood's high-need demographics. The school maintains an inclusive feel — nearly a third of students receive special education services, and ELL support is explicitly offered.

Norwood is a working-class Bronx neighborhood with excellent transit access (74th percentile), making it commutable even without a car. Family density is very high (84th percentile), meaning lots of kids in the area. However, education orientation is low (23rd percentile), suggesting this isn't a neighborhood where families prioritize school selection the way some Manhattan or suburban communities do. Safety scores are modest — crime density and lead exposure rates are areas of concern. Homeownership is rare at 4.5%, meaning most families rent. The median home value of $460,000 reflects the Bronx market.

Norwood is pedestrian-friendly with good bus access. Families from other parts of the Bronx or upper Manhattan can reach the school via transit, though those driving will contend with typical Bronx traffic and parking.