At a Glance
A Harlem charter high school serving predominantly Black and Hispanic students with below-district academics and significant attendance challenges
Families seeking a structured charter environment with small class sizes who are comfortable with lottery admission and can actively support a child who may face attendance challenges. Given the academic and culture climate data, families should have capacity to supplement learning at home or seek additional support.
- Extended-day charter model with structured academic programming
- Serves high-need population (85% economic need) with 22% IEP students
- Small class sizes (18.7 average, on par with district)
- Part of Democracy Prep network with focus on civic engagement
- Test scores run significantly below district averages — about 13 points lower in both subjects
- Chronic absenteeism affects nearly half the student body
- Parent satisfaction is extremely low at 49.4% versus 91% district average
- Teacher instruction quality scores well below district norm (55% vs 88%)
- Charter lottery admission means no zoned guarantee
- Math scores collapsed during pandemic and remain well below pre-pandemic peaks
Based on 2024 data
School SummaryDistrict 5
Among peer schools in District 5, Democracy Prep Endurance scores substantially lower than top performers. Harlem Village Academy West (96/100), Success Academy schools (89-94/100), and P.S. 125 Ralph Bunche (79/100) all significantly outrank this school. It occupies a lower tier position among district alternatives.
Test scores at Democracy Prep Endurance lag notably behind District 5 averages — 40.8% ELA proficiency versus 53.9% district-wide, and 38% math versus 50.7%. These aren't just slight gaps; the school is underperforming the district by a meaningful margin. The 1.58 overall score on the 4-point scale sits below the 2.09 district average, placing it in the lower tier of district schools.
The culture and climate data raises real concerns. Teacher instruction quality scores just 55% against an 88% district average — a substantial gap that suggests significant challenges in the classroom experience. Parent satisfaction sits at 49.4%, far below the 90.8% district average, indicating families have substantial concerns about their children's experience. These survey dimensions point to a school where trust between families and staff, and between teachers and leadership, may be strained.
The student body is predominantly Black (63%) and Hispanic (32%), reflecting the demographics of Central Harlem. With 85% economic need and 22% IEP students, the school serves a high-need population. The diversity index of 49% is moderate — the school is less diverse than many NYC public schools but captures the two largest demographic groups in its neighborhood.
Harlem (North) offers excellent transit access (95th percentile) and high family density, making it a convenient location for families who rely on public transportation. However, safety scores are extremely low (1.53 percentile), and environmental health indicators show concerns including elevated asthma rates and lead exposure risks. The neighborhood has low homeownership (12.6%) and a 25.5% poverty rate, indicating economic challenges that many families navigate daily.
Families typically arrive via public transit given the excellent subway and bus access. The low safety score and collision rates mean parents should consider walking routes carefully, particularly during early morning and evening hours.
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
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School a good school?
- On Motley, Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School 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 below the District 5 average.
- What grades does Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School serve?
- Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School?
- Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School is a charter school — it admits through a free public lottery, with no test or attendance zone.
- Is Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School public, charter, or private?
- Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School is a public charter school in NYC Community School District 5.
- What neighborhood is Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School in?
- Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School is in Harlem (North), Manhattan.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.