At a Glance
A heavily-impacted high school where families feel deeply connected to leadership but teachers report a trust gap with administration
Families who prioritize strong parent-school relationships and a school where families feel genuinely heard by leadership; those seeking a dual-language pathway with somewhat better odds of admission; families comfortable with schools where teacher-administration trust is a known issue but instruction quality remains solid; parents who value a zero-tolerance discipline approach and are drawn to the school's diverse arts and athletics offerings.
- Zero suspensions — a stark contrast to the 1.2% district average
- Exceptional family-to-principal trust (98%) and family-to-teacher trust (95%)
- Competitive admissions with only 16.7% of applicants receiving offers
- Dual Language Spanish program with 25% offer rate — more accessible than the general admission pathway
- Rich program offerings rated 90/100 including arts, athletics, and academic pathways
- Small average class size of 20.8 matching the district average
- No state test data available — academic performance cannot be benchmarked against district or city averages
- Teacher-principal trust is significantly low (46%) despite high parent trust — a potential red flag for staff morale
- Low family survey response rate (26%) may not fully represent all family perspectives
- Minimal PTA fundraising ($2/student vs. $17 district average) suggests limited parent organization resources
- 25% of students have IEPs — ensure appropriate supports are in place
- Environmental health indicators (asthma rates, lead exposure) are elevated in this neighborhood
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 32
Among District 32 peers, this school operates in a competitive landscape with several high-performing charter options nearby (Success Academy at 96/100, All City Leadership at 76/100). Without state test data, direct comparison is difficult, but the school's strong family engagement and zero suspensions distinguish it from peers. The limited unscreened admissions process attracts substantial community interest, though charter schools in the area draw significant enrollment competition.
State proficiency data was not available for this school, making it difficult to directly compare academic outcomes against the district averages of 46% in ELA and 43% in Math. The school offers AP Courses and a Humanities pathway, and the average class size of 20.8 matches the district average exactly, suggesting reasonable individualized attention.
The school's climate tells a nuanced story: families are highly satisfied (92%) and feel deeply connected to both teachers (95% trust) and the principal (98% trust), which is exceptional. However, teachers report significantly lower trust in leadership (46%), despite rating instruction quality at 88% — above the district average of 86%. This trust gap between staff and administration is notable and suggests potential underlying tensions. On a positive note, the school recorded zero suspensions, well below the district average of 1.2%, indicating either effective behavior management or a different disciplinary approach.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic (80%), with Black students comprising 16% and minimal Asian (1%) and White (2%) representation. The diversity index of 35% is relatively low for an urban high school. With 93% economic need and 25% IEP students, this is a high-need population — the neighborhood's poverty rate of 12.6% and low homeownership (20%) reinforce this context. Families here are largely working-class, with 35.8% holding BA+ degrees.
The school sits in a Brooklyn neighborhood with moderate safety concerns (39.85 safety score percentile) and strong transit access (73rd percentile). The area has a higher collision rate and some environmental health indicators worth noting — asthma emergency department rates of 54.6 per 1,000 and elevated lead rates of 13.7% suggest environmental health considerations for families. With only 17.2% of households having children and 20% homeownership, it's a transitional working-class area, though median home values exceed $1 million.
The neighborhood's strong transit score (73rd percentile) indicates good access to public transportation, making it feasible for families without cars. The area is walkable, though parents should be aware of the moderate safety indicators when considering commutes.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 86 families responded (26% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Dual Language programs are designed to integrate English Language Learners with English-proficient students to receive content instruction in English and a target language.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Ridgewood.
- What grades does Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence serve?
- Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence?
- Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence public, charter, or private?
- Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence is a public school in NYC Community School District 32.
- What neighborhood is Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence in?
- Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence is in Ridgewood, Queens.
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