At a Glance
A steadily improving middle school where strong teacher leadership and zero suspensions define the day-to-day experience
Families who prioritize a small school environment with strong teacher leadership and a discipline-free record, and who can actively support their child with math skills at home. This school works best for families in the Concourse area seeking a middle school with robust extracurriculars and who feel connected to the neighborhood — but parents should be prepared to address attendance challenges and may need supplemental math support.
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — an exceptionally rare record for a middle school
- Teacher trust in leadership exceeds 92% across multiple measures, suggesting stable and effective administration
- Program richness score of 90/100 with offerings ranging from robotics and coding to restorative circles and Saturday Academy
- Strong parent-principal trust at 95%, indicating families feel connected to school leadership
- ELA growth from 15.9% to 48.8% over nine years — a nearly 33-point improvement
- Math proficiency at 31.4% remains well below the district average of 44.7% and may require additional support
- Chronic absenteeism at 64.6% is extremely high — nearly two-thirds of students miss substantial school time
- Parent satisfaction at 87% trails the district average of 94%
- Overall quality score of 1.6/4 places the school below the district average and well below top-performing peers
- The neighborhood has significant safety concerns, scoring just 2.68 on safety metrics
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 9
Bronx Writing Academy ranks below the district's top performers — including Icahn Charter School 1 (99/100) and Success Academy campuses (93-97/100) — but shows meaningful improvement in key areas. Among district middle schools, its strength is building a positive school culture with strong staff trust and minimal disciplinary issues, even as academic performance remains uneven between ELA and math.
ELA proficiency at 48.8% sits above the district average of 44.75%, a meaningful win for a school where students started at just 15.9% in 2016. Math at 31.4% trails the district average of 44.7% significantly, though it has improved from single digits five years ago. The school earned an overall score of 1.6/4, placing it below the district average of 1.79. Grade-level data shows consistent performance across grades 6-8 in ELA (around 45-50%), with math improving as students move up — 8th graders at 35.6% compared to 6th graders at 25%.
The survey data tells a mixed but largely positive story. Teacher trust in leadership runs high at 92%, teacher instruction quality scores 93%, and collegial trust among staff is 94%. Families report strong principal trust at 95%, though parent satisfaction at 87% falls below the district average of 94%. The standout is discipline: zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a rare record in any middle school. However, chronic absenteeism at 64.6% is a serious concern, meaning nearly two-thirds of students miss significant school time.
With 308 students, Bronx Writing Academy is a small community school. The student body is 70% Hispanic and 26% Black, reflecting the surrounding neighborhood demographics. Twenty-four percent of students have IEPs — notably higher than many peer schools. The diversity index sits at 43%, and average class size matches the district at about 21 students.
Concourse-Concourse Village is a densely populated, high-poverty Bronx neighborhood with a family density score of 77.39 — one of the highest in the city. Median household income is $40,255, and only 11% of residents own homes. The neighborhood scores very low on safety (2.68) but high on transit access (66.67). Education orientation is moderate at 32.18, suggesting some families prioritize schooling but the community faces significant resource constraints.
The neighborhood is highly walkable given its density, and strong transit access makes it reachable from surrounding areas. Families without cars can navigate the area reasonably well.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Science Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Science exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 51 families responded (28% rate)
Programs & Activities
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Bronx Writing Academy a good school?
- On Motley, Bronx Writing Academy earns an overall quality score of 40/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 9 average.
- What grades does Bronx Writing Academy serve?
- Bronx Writing Academy serves grades 6 to 8.
- How do students get into Bronx Writing Academy?
- Bronx Writing Academy admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
- Is Bronx Writing Academy public, charter, or private?
- Bronx Writing Academy is a public school in NYC Community School District 9.
- What neighborhood is Bronx Writing Academy in?
- Bronx Writing Academy is in Concourse-Concourse Village, Bronx.
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