At a Glance
A small high school with exceptional teacher trust and zero suspensions in a high-need Bronx neighborhood
Families who prioritize a small, relationship-driven high school experience and value strong teacher trust over raw test scores. This school works well for students who thrive in lower-pressure environments and for families who want to be actively involved in their child's education. It's particularly suited for families in the Concourse area who want a neighborhood school with real community roots — and who can navigate the trade-off between academic prestige and genuine belonging.
- Zero suspensions — a remarkable achievement in a district where the average is 0.84%
- 100% teacher-rated instruction quality, nearly 12 points above district average
- Near-universal trust: 96% of parents trust teachers and principal; 98% of teachers trust principal
- Small school feel: 281 students across grades 9-12 with 20.5 average class size
- Unique Social Action program draws 329 applicants for 65 seats — real demand
- No publicly reported ELA or Math proficiency data makes academic comparison difficult
- Very high economic need (94.6%) means the school serves students facing significant out-of-school challenges
- 29% IEP rate is high — appropriate for some families but worth understanding your child's needs
- Low safety scores in the surrounding neighborhood may concern some parents
- Limited screened admissions means most seats go through limited unscreened process
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 7
Among District 7 peers including charter schools like South Bronx Classical (96/100) and Success Academy Bronx 1 (93/100), this unscreened public school doesn't appear on the rigorous charter-style rankings. However, what the data shows is a school that has found a different kind of success — in trust, in discipline, in family satisfaction. It may not lead the district in test scores, but it leads in the relational metrics that keep kids in school and learning.
The school doesn't publicly report ELA or Math proficiency rates, making it difficult to benchmark directly against the district's 51% ELA and 49% Math averages. However, the average class size of 20.5 students matches the district average exactly, suggesting typical resource levels. What stands out is the 100% teacher-rated instruction quality — nearly 12 percentage points above the district average — indicating teachers feel effective in their classrooms despite challenging circumstances.
This is where the school truly shines. Parent satisfaction hits 95%, and trust in both teachers and principal reaches 96% — numbers most schools only dream of. Teachers are equally bullish: 100% rate instruction quality as high, and 98% trust the principal. The most remarkable stat: zero suspensions in the past year, compared to a district average of 0.84%. This isn't a school that relies on exclusionary discipline — it's built on relationships. The trade-off is that family survey response rates are modest (38%), so these strong numbers come from a subset of engaged families.
Nearly three-quarters of students (74%) are Hispanic, with 24% Black and very small percentages of other groups. This mirrors the neighborhood demographics — the Concourse area is predominantly Hispanic. A striking 94.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting the economic reality of this neighborhood where median household income is just $40,255 and poverty affects 34% of residents. Twenty-nine percent of students have IEPs, suggesting robust special education services. The diversity index of 36% is moderate for the Bronx.
Concourse-Concourse Village in the Bronx is a high-density urban neighborhood with significant challenges. Safety scores are very low (2.68 percentile), and the poverty rate (34%) and economic need are pronounced. However, transit access is strong (67th percentile), making commutes manageable. The education orientation score (32%) suggests this isn't a neighborhood where parents heavily prioritize private school options — public schools like this one are the backbone. Only 11% of residents own homes, so most families rent, and just 16% have bachelor's degrees.
The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong transit access. Families from across the Bronx can reach the school via subway or bus, and the area's density makes walking feasible for local residents. However, the low safety score means evening events or after-school activities may require extra attention to logistics.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 67 families responded (38% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Components of the program include: social action club, work with activists who are involved with social justice issues, social action and community service internships, whole school examination of social justice issues.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Community School for Social Justice a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Community School for Social Justice yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Concourse-Concourse Village.
- What grades does Community School for Social Justice serve?
- Community School for Social Justice serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Community School for Social Justice?
- Community School for Social Justice uses the Educational Option (Ed-Opt) method, ranking applicants across performance levels so seats go to a mix of abilities.
- Is Community School for Social Justice public, charter, or private?
- Community School for Social Justice is a public school in NYC Community School District 7.
- What neighborhood is Community School for Social Justice in?
- Community School for Social Justice is in Concourse-Concourse Village, Bronx.
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