Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School

Test scores here are below the district average — ELA proficiency sits at 35.6% versus the district's 44.6%, and math is particularly low at 16.6% compared to the district's 43.3%. Science performs slightly better at 34.3%. The historical trend is erratic: scores climbed from 2016 to 2019 (ELA jumped from 20.7% to 40.1%, math from 17.7% to 53%), then crashed during the pandemic years and have fluctuated since. The 2024 scores dropped to 21.5% ELA and 15.3% math before partially recovering in 2025. This volatility suggests the school hasn't found a stable instructional footing.

The survey data tells a nuanced story. Teachers rate instruction quality exceptionally high at 96%, well above the district average of 88%, and trust in leadership is strong — 93% for both teacher-principal and parent-principal relationships. Parents are notably satisfied at 94%, feeling their voices are heard. However, the attendance picture is troubling: chronic absenteeism sits at 51.4%, meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time. This is substantially higher than the district average. The school has high family trust but struggles with getting students to show up consistently.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (77%) with 20% Black students, reflecting the Longwood neighborhood's demographics. Nearly one in five students (19%) has an IEP, and a striking 90% qualify for economic need programs — this is a school serving families facing substantial hardship. With 739 students across grades 6-12, it's a mid-sized charter that functions as a neighborhood school for many families who chose it through the lottery system.

Longwood is a densely populated, transit-rich Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges. The poverty rate is 33.2%, and only 15.1% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. The area scores very low on safety (4.21 out of 100) but very high on transit access (93.49) and family density (83.14). Environmental health concerns exist — the asthma emergency department rate is high at 75.5 per 1,000, and lead exposure rates are elevated at 15.2%. Families here are navigating real resource constraints while relying on strong transit connections.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with excellent transit access (score 93.49), making it accessible for families who depend on public transportation.