E.S.M.T- I.S. 190

Test scores here sit below the district average — 36.8% ELA versus 44.6% district-wide, and 38.9% math versus 43.3% — but the trajectory tells a different story. From 2016 to 2024, the school climbed from the high teens to the mid-40s in both subjects, a gain of roughly 25 percentage points in math. The 2025 scores represent a step back from that peak, which is worth watching. Grade 8 performs notably stronger in ELA (45.8%) than Grade 7 (29.8%), suggesting the academic program may be building skills over time.

This is where the school shines. Parent satisfaction sits at 97% — well above the 92% district average — and trust metrics are nearly universal: 98% parent-teacher trust, 99% principal trust. Teachers report 96% confidence in instructional quality and 96% trust in the principal, with 85% collegial trust among staff. The discipline record is remarkable: zero suspensions in 2023-24, down from six in 2021-22, achieved through restorative practices rather than exclusion. The catch is attendance. At 87.2% overall and 56.8% chronic absenteeism — particularly stark among Hispanic students at 62% — the school is struggling to get kids in the door consistently. This gap between what happens inside the building (strong, trusting, well-resourced) and whether kids show up regularly is likely the central tension for families considering the school.

At 229 students, this is a small middle school with a predominantly Hispanic (69%) and Black (28%) student body. The economic need index of 93.9% is among the highest in the district, reflecting a community facing significant resource constraints. Twenty-three percent of students have IEPs, slightly above typical. Despite these challenges, families are engaged — the family survey response rate of 94% is exceptional and signals real community buy-in.

Crotona Park East is a densely family-oriented neighborhood in the South Bronx with strong transit access (67th percentile) but significant safety concerns (12.64 safety score, well below average). The area has high poverty (28.5% poverty rate, 9.6% homeownership) and low education attainment among adults (14.7% BA or higher). There's a notable lead exposure risk (15.2% elevated rate) and elevated asthma rates. The neighborhood is near Crotona Park itself, which provides green space. Families here are navigating real logistical complexity — median household income is just $41,412.

Given the low safety score and moderate transit access, families likely rely on a mix of walking, bus, and subway depending on where they're coming from. The area is walkable but families should factor in commute logistics.