Bronx Design and Construction Academy

Test score data was not provided, so academic performance cannot be compared to the district averages of 51% ELA and 49% math proficiency. The school offers AP Courses, and with an average class size of 20.5 students (matching the district average), class sizes are typical for District 7. Given the high economic need index of 92.9%, the absence of reported test scores makes it difficult to fully assess academic outcomes.

The school reports exceptionally strong trust metrics across the board: 91% of parents trust teachers, 91% trust the principal, and teachers report 94% collegial trust and 90% trust in leadership. Teacher-reported instruction quality hits 91%, beating the district average of 88%. The school recorded zero suspensions, well below the district average of 0.84% — a notable achievement in a district where some peer schools suspend at higher rates. However, parent satisfaction sits at 86%, which falls below the district average of 93.5%, suggesting some families may have concerns that don't show up in the trust or discipline numbers.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (69%) with 29% Black students and very low Asian (1%) and White (0%) enrollment — reflecting the demographics of Melrose, where the BA+ education rate is only 13.9%. Nearly 93% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 43% have IEPs, indicating significant special education needs. The diversity index of 40% is moderate, with the school serving a population that matches its high-need neighborhood.

Melrose is a densely populated South Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges: a safety score of just 1.92 (very low), a poverty rate of 38.1%, and median household income of only $30,236. However, it scores well on transit access (77.78) and has some family infrastructure despite only 15.7% of households having children. The area has a collision rate and air quality concerns (PM2.5 mean of 9.7), and 15.2% of homes have elevated lead levels — environmental factors parents should know about. The neighborhood is highly transient with a stability score of only 27.2.

The Melrose neighborhood is generally walkable with strong transit access, though parents should be aware of the low safety score and traffic concerns in the area when considering how their children commute.