East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School

Test scores at East Harlem Scholars sit below the District 4 averages — 41% ELA proficiency versus the district's 50%, and 36.7% math versus 45%. The historical data shows concerning volatility: math proficiency plummeted from 62.7% in 2016 to just 18.8% in 2022, though it has partially recovered to 36.7% in 2025. ELA has remained in the high-30s to mid-40s range over the past decade, with the most recent year showing a slight dip to 41%. The school received an overall score of 1.55 out of 4, placing it below the district average of 1.9. Middle school grades show some bright spots — Grade 6 and Grade 8 both exceed 50% in ELA — but elementary and upper grades struggle more significantly.

The survey data reveals a striking disconnect: families who responded report extremely high trust levels — 94% for parent satisfaction, parent-teacher trust, and parent-principal trust, with 100% reporting strong relationships. However, only 7% of families responded to the survey (59 responses), raising questions about how representative these numbers are. Teacher-reported instruction quality sits at 63%, notably below the district average of 87%. Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 45%, meaning nearly half of students miss a significant portion of the school year — this is substantially higher than the district average. Attendance overall is 86% versus the district's 88%.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographics: 66% Hispanic, 26% Black, with small Asian (2%) and White (3%) populations. Nearly 30% of students have IEPs, indicating a substantial special education population. The diversity index of 50% reflects a relatively homogeneous community in the best-served sense — families here share similar backgrounds and likely face similar challenges. The economic need index of 86.3% places this among the highest-need schools in Manhattan, meaning virtually all families qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

East Harlem is one of Manhattan's most densely family-oriented neighborhoods, scoring 96 on the family density metric. The area offers strong transit access (80) but faces significant safety challenges, with a safety score of only 12. The neighborhood has a median household income of $44,054 and a 29.5% poverty rate — making it one of the more economically stressed areas in Manhattan. Despite these challenges, the neighborhood has seen rising home values ($828,171 median) and maintains a moderate education orientation score of 66. The area has notable health concerns, including elevated asthma rates and some lead exposure risks.

The school is located in a pedestrian-heavy neighborhood where many families walk or take public transit. The high transit score (80) reflects excellent subway and bus access, though the low safety score (12) means evening arrivals and departures warrant attention. Families from deeper in East Harlem or neighboring districts often rely on the subway.