Cornerstone Academy for Social Action

Test scores here are significantly below the District 11 average — 26% ELA proficiency versus 57% district-wide, and 32% math versus 56% district-wide. The school earned an overall quality score of 1.16 out of 4, roughly half the district average of 2.25. Looking at trends, scores have fluctuated over the past decade with a low point in 2022 (17.9% ELA) and some recovery since, but they're essentially flat compared to 2016 levels. Grade 3 shows a notable 42% math proficiency — the strongest performing grade — while Grade 4 struggles most with both subjects at around 23%. Students here are catching up, not leading, and parents should understand they're enrolling in a school where academic support will be a daily priority.

Here's where the picture gets interesting. Despite the low test scores, the school climate data is remarkably strong — 84% parent satisfaction, 90% parent-teacher trust, and a striking 100% of families reporting 'strong relationships' with the school. Teachers give similarly high marks: 86% say instruction quality is strong, 95% trust the principal, and 88% report collegial trust among staff. The school has zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a 0% rate compared to the district average of 0.5%. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious issue at 62.1% (versus the district average that would be roughly 8-10%), meaning nearly two-thirds of students are missing significant school time. Attendance overall is 89.1%, below the 91.2% district average. The day-to-day feel appears warm and relational, but chronic absenteeism may be dragging down academic outcomes.

The student body is 51% Black and 44% Hispanic, with almost no Asian or white students — a school that reflects the demographics of its neighborhood. The economic need index of 81.8% indicates most families face significant financial challenges, and 18% of students have IEPs. At 294 students across pre-K through 5th grade, it's a small-to-medium sized elementary school. PTA fundraising is modest at $12 per student (versus $24 district average), suggesting limited extra resources from families. This is a high-need community serving predominantly Black and Latino families in the East Bronx.

The Eastchester-Edenwald-Baychester area in the eastern Bronx is a stable, working-to-middle-class neighborhood with a homeownership rate of 42% and high stability score of 88 — people stay here, often for generations. However, safety scores are below average at 45, transit access is limited at 39, and education orientation is moderate at 46. The median home value is $543,000, and median household income is about $71,000. The neighborhood has a lead elevated rate of 15.2% and elevated asthma rates (75.5 ED visits per 1,000), indicating some environmental health concerns common in parts of the Bronx. Families considering this area should know it's a tight-knit community with strong roots, but it's not particularly walkable to transit hubs and safety concerns are worth noting.

Families typically drive or rely on buses to get here — the neighborhood scores low on transit accessibility (39) and walkability is limited. This is a car-dependent area of the eastern Bronx.