Motley
District 1111
PublicDistrict 11Unscreened

Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts

800 EAST GUN HILL ROAD

At a Glance

A small PK-8 school with strong community ties and zero suspensions, serving a high-need neighborhood with competitive admissions

Best suited for

Families who prioritize a small-school environment with strong discipline (zero suspensions), want their child in a diverse community with robust athletics and arts, and are comfortable with a school where teacher quality scores are a known concern being addressed. The competitive admissions suggest engaged families; the high economic need means this is a school where parent involvement matters.

What stands out
  • Zero suspensions — a striking departure from district norms
  • Competitive admissions (20% offer rate) despite being unscreened
  • Robust athletics program including swimming and indoor track — unusual for a small school
  • Full pre-K through 8th grade under one roof
  • Strong arts programming as part of the school identity
Things to consider
  • Teacher instruction quality scores are significantly below district average — worth investigating during a visit
  • No ELA or Math proficiency data makes academic performance difficult to assess
  • Small school (235 students) means limited course variety and social circles
  • Very high economic need (87%) means the school serves a challenging population
  • Parent satisfaction trails the district average

Based on 2024 data

School SummaryDistrict 11

Among district 11 peer schools, this school doesn't appear in the top-tier comparison group that includes the Icahn charter schools (scoring 87-96) or the Bronx Charter School for Excellence (93-94). Those schools have stronger academic reputations. This school occupies a middle ground — competitive enough to draw applicants but not performing at the level of the district's highest-rated options.

AcademicsLimited data

The academic data shows gaps worth noting. No proficiency scores are available in this dataset, but the district averages 57% in ELA and 56% in Math — numbers that place this school below the borough's middle tier. With 25% of students having IEPs and 87% economic need, the school is serving a high-challenge population where test scores alone don't capture the work happening in classrooms.

Cultureconcerning

The discipline picture here is notable — zero suspensions in a district where the average runs around 0.5%. That suggests either very effective behavior management or a very different approach to conflict than peer schools. Teacher instruction quality scores (72.8%) run well below the district average of 92%, which is a gap worth understanding through a school visit. Parent satisfaction at 87% is solid but trails the district average of 93%.

Community

The student body is predominantly Black (43%) and Hispanic (49%), reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. With a diversity index of 57% and 87% economic need, this is a high-need school serving families who likely qualify for free lunch and support services. The 25% IEP rate is notably higher than typical, suggesting strong special education programming.

NeighborhoodWilliamsbridge-Olinville

Williamsbridge-Olinville has a neighborhood safety score of just 18.39 — notably low compared to city norms. The area shows high stability (85) but lower education orientation (43) and modest transit access (41). Median home values hover around $518K, but only 31% of residents own homes and just 20% hold bachelor's degrees. This is a working-class neighborhood where families are focused on stability and basics.

The area around Gun Hill Road has decent transit options for Bronx commuting, though most families will likely take buses or drive. The neighborhood's lower walkability score suggests car-dependent daily routines for many.

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
87.2%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
72.8%

NYC School Survey (2025)

Programs & Activities

Academic(1)
AP Courses
Arts(1)
Arts
Sports(10)
BaseballBasketballCross CountryFootballIndoor TrackOutdoor TrackSoccerSoftballSwimmingVolleyball
Language(2)
ELL SupportSpanish

Admissions Demand

Bronx High School for Writing & Communication ArtsCompetitive

We offer a thriving arts program by teaching drama and integrating theater into our English and history classes. We also teach students how to make movies using actual film equipment in our after school program with DC-TV film. Students make movies using iMovie and other applications on their iPads in class. Each student has an iPad, each teacher has a Macbook, and each classroom is equipped with Apple TV. Technology is deeply integrated in math, science, English, and social studies classes.

Seats86
Applicants396
Apps/Seat4.6
Offer Rate20%

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Moderate
49%Hispanic/Latino
43%Black
3%White
3%Asian
1%Multi-Racial

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
87.2%
IEP Students
24.7%

Discipline

0suspensions

NYSED Student & Educator Database

Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades Pre-K to 8 in Williamsbridge-Olinville.
What grades does Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts serve?
Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts serves grades Pre-K to 8.
How do students get into Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts?
Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
Is Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts public, charter, or private?
Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts is a public school in NYC Community School District 11.
What neighborhood is Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts in?
Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts is in Williamsbridge-Olinville, Bronx.
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