Community Health Academy of the Heights

Test scores at Community Health Academy sit well below the District 6 averages — 32.2% ELA proficiency versus 47% district-wide, and 25.5% math versus 52% district. The school earned an overall score of 1.15 out of 4, compared to the district average of 1.98. Looking at the trend, scores rose meaningfully from 2016 to 2019 (ELA climbed from 25% to 36%, math from 16% to 32%), suggesting real improvement before COVID. Since then, results have been volatile — 2024 saw a dip to 28.7% ELA, and 2025 shows modest recovery to 32.2%. Grade-level data shows Grade 7 lagging significantly in ELA (22.4%) while Grade 8 exceeds in ELA (37.3%) but struggles in math (17.1%). The school offers AP courses and accelerated/honors pathways, though program richness scores just 64.2/100.

If you only looked at the survey data, you'd think this was one of the city's best schools. Parent satisfaction, parent-teacher trust, and parent-principal trust all sit at 99%. Teachers report 98% instruction quality and 99% collegial trust. Perhaps most remarkably: zero suspensions in the data year. Attendance is the soft underbelly — the 88.8% attendance rate falls below the 91% district average, and chronic absenteeism at 65.6% is a serious concern affecting both male and female students similarly. Hispanic students show the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 67.9%, compared to 54.8% for Black students. The 70% family survey response rate (374 responses) and 49 teacher responses give these numbers credibility — families and staff are engaged and vocal. The zero-suspension environment suggests a restorative approach to discipline, though it may also reflect under-reporting. The day-to-day feel appears warm and trusting, but chronic absenteeism is likely tied to the same socioeconomic challenges driving the 88.8% economic need index.

This is a heavily Hispanic (86%) school in a neighborhood that matches that profile. With 88.8% economic need index and 23% IEP students, the student body reflects a community facing significant economic challenges. The diversity index is low at 29%, meaning the school is not particularly diverse internally — it's essentially serving a homogeneous community in a homogeneous neighborhood. At 618 students across grades 6-12 plus special education, class sizes average 21.9, right on par with the district average. PTA fundraising is minimal at $2 per student ($1,200 total), compared to the district average of $52 per student — a sign of the economic constraints families here face.

Washington Heights is a densely populated, transit-rich Manhattan neighborhood with strong family presence (family density score of 85) but significant economic challenges. Median household income is $55,786 with only 8% homeownership — most families rent. The poverty rate sits at 22%, and just 34% of residents have a BA+ education. Home values are surprisingly high at a median $750,201, reflecting Manhattan's housing market even in upper Manhattan. Transit access is exceptional (96.55 score), making commutes manageable. The neighborhood scores poorly on health environment (0.38), with elevated lead rates (18%) and high asthma emergency department rates (155 per 10,000). The school sits in a neighborhood where families value education (education orientation score of 52.49), though crime density and collision rates are notable concerns.

Excellent transit access — the neighborhood's 96.55 transit score means most families rely on subway or bus. Families within walking distance can easily walk; those coming from farther afield benefit from strong MTA connectivity. The area is pedestrian-heavy but parents should be aware of the collision rate.