Bronx Early College Academy for Teaching & Learning

Test scores here are a genuine concern — 40.2% ELA and 26.4% math proficiency fall below the district averages of 44.8% and 44.7% respectively, and the overall quality score of 1.33 out of 4 is below the district's 1.79. The historical trend is bumpy: math climbed from 10% in 2016 to a peak of 33% in 2023 before settling at 26.4%, while ELA jumped to 52.7% in 2022 but has since declined. Grade 8 students are doing solid work in ELA at 52%, but math at that grade drops to just 20% — a red flag that math instruction may be losing ground in the upper grades. The school offers an accelerated Pre-IB Honors program that draws 793 applicants for 65 seats, suggesting families with academic ambition are still choosing this school despite the proficiency gaps.

The culture here is the school's hidden strength. Parents report 96% satisfaction and rate trust in teachers and the principal at 95-96% — numbers most NYC schools would envy. Teachers give 100% on instruction quality and 94% on trust in leadership. The school has zero suspensions, a rare accomplishment in any middle or high school. However, chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 57.7%, affecting both male and female students nearly equally and hitting Black students hardest at 61.9%. With 57.7% of students missing significant school time, the attendance crisis may be driving some of the academic struggles — kids can't learn if they're not in class. The survey response rates are modest (37% families, 16 teacher responses), so take the glowing numbers with a grain of caution, but the directional signal is clear: families who engage with the school love it.

This is a predominantly Hispanic and Black school in a neighborhood that reflects that makeup: 73% Hispanic, 23% Black, with tiny Asian and white populations. Nearly three-quarters of students (91.2%) come from economically needy households, and 23% have IEPs — a higher-than-average special education population. The economic need index of 91.2% is among the highest in the city. Class sizes average 20.8 students, right on par with the district. The diversity index of 38% is relatively low, reflecting the neighborhood's demographic homogeneity, but the school community is tight-knit. The 37% family survey response rate suggests moderate engagement, though those who respond are highly satisfied.

Concourse-Concourse Village is a densely populated, transit-rich Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges. Median household income is just $40,255, and 34% of residents live below the poverty line — these are real economic pressures families navigate daily. Only 11% of residents own homes, and just 15.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher, meaning most parents may not have experienced the kind of academic pipeline this screened school offers. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (2.68 out of 100) and has elevated environmental health concerns, including lead and asthma rates. However, it scores high on transit (67th percentile) and family density (77th percentile), meaning it's easy to get to and full of other families. There are parks and green spaces nearby, and the area has a strong community feel despite the economic hardships.

highly walkable and transit-accessible — the neighborhood sits on multiple subway and bus lines, and most families arrive on foot or via public transit rather than by car