East Bronx Academy for the Future

Test scores here are below the District 12 average — ELA at 36% versus 45% district-wide, math at 25% versus 43%. However, the trend line tells a hopeful story: ELA has more than doubled from 17% in 2016 to 35.8% in 2025, and math has climbed from 16.7% to 24.8% over the same period. Grade-level data shows a notable jump in 7th grade (48.5% math, 46% ELA), suggesting the middle school years may be a strength. The overall score of 1.21/4 trails the district average of 1.76, reflecting that this is a school still climbing — not yet at peer performance levels but demonstrably improving.

The survey data here is remarkable. Parents report 95% satisfaction, 95% trust in teachers, and 97% trust in the principal. Teachers give 98% on instruction quality and 99% on trust in leadership — numbers you rarely see. The school has achieved zero suspensions, which in a high-need neighborhood with 93% economic need is significant and suggests a restorative approach to discipline. The tradeoff: chronic absenteeism is high at 58%, meaning many students miss significant school. Attendance (88.3%) runs slightly below the district average (90.1%). The day-to-day feel appears supportive and trusting, though the attendance challenge suggests some families struggle to get kids to school consistently.

The student body is 68% Hispanic, 26% Black, with very small Asian (2%) and white (1%) populations. Nearly a third (31%) have IEPs, reflecting significant special education presence. The diversity index is 48%, which is moderate. This is a school that reflects its neighborhood — predominantly working-class families with limited prior educational attainment (only 15% of neighborhood adults have a bachelor's degree). The economic need index of 93.3% means nearly every student qualifies for free lunch.

Crotona Park East is a high-poverty, family-dense neighborhood in the Bronx. Median household income is just $41,412, and only 10% of residents own homes. The neighborhood scores low on education orientation (23rd percentile) and safety (13th percentile), though transit access is decent (67th percentile). There are community resources including Crotona Park itself, but this is a neighborhood where families face real economic pressure. For students here, a supportive school can be a stabilizing force.

This is a walkable Bronx neighborhood, though families should note the lower safety score. Students from nearby blocks can walk; those coming from farther afield rely on bus routes or the nearby subway lines.