At a Glance
A small PK-8 on the East Bronx waterfront where nearly half the students have IEPs — and suspensions are nearly zero
Best suited for
Families who want a small, inclusive unscreened PK-8 — particularly those whose children have IEPs or other learning needs, and who value a calm, low-suspension environment over a longer commute.
What stands out
- One of the most inclusive schools in District 7, with 43% of students classified as IEPs
- Zero suspensions in the reporting period, against a district average of 0.84%
- Small enrollment of 165 students means staff can plausibly know almost every child individually
- Class size of 20.5 essentially matches the district average despite a far more complex student mix
- Economic need index of 80.5 places the school in the top fifth of citywide need
Things to consider
- Ask directly for recent ELA, math, and science proficiency rates before making any decision — don't rely on what isn't publicly reported
- The school is beyond a 20-minute walk from any subway station, so commuting logistics matter for drop-off and pickup
- A 43% IEP share means resources are heavily weighted toward special education — families without IEPs should ask how that shapes general-education classroom time
- Small enrollment means fewer enrichment and elective options than larger South Bronx schools
- District 7 charter peers like South Bronx Classical II and Success Academy Bronx 1 post scores of 91-97 — they're selective by application, so they aren't directly comparable, but worth a look
Based on 2023-24 data
School SummaryDistrict 7
District 7 (South Bronx) hosts a mix of high-performing application charters — peer scores range from 91 to 97 — alongside unscreened traditional publics like East River Academy that serve the full breadth of the community. Among unscreened schools, the unusually high IEP share and zero-suspension record make this a distinctive option.
Academics
With 43% of students classified as IEPs and an economic need index of 80.5, classrooms at East River Academy are built around a wide range of learning needs, and the school is among the most inclusive in District 7. Average class size of 20.5 essentially matches the district's 20.6, meaning teacher-to-student ratios are about average even as the student mix is heavier than peers'. As an unscreened public school in a district whose charter peers post high proficiency scores, East River's value should be measured against the steeper mix of student needs it serves.
Culture
The standout climate signal is zero suspensions over the reporting period — the lowest possible outcome, against a district average suspension rate of 0.84%. For a school where 43% of students have IEPs and most families face economic pressure, that's a notable result and suggests conflicts get handled in-house rather than escalated. With just 165 total students, staff can plausibly know every child by name, which tends to support a more relational day-to-day feel.
Community
The student body is 66% Black and 28% Hispanic, with small Asian, White, and Native American shares — a profile that mirrors the surrounding South Bronx community. An economic need index of 80.5 places the school in the top fifth of citywide need, meaning roughly four in five students come from households facing financial pressure. With nearly half the students classified as IEPs, this is one of the most inclusive general-education settings in District 7.
Neighborhood
With Rikers Island just offshore, the immediate census tract around the school is dominated by institutional and industrial land uses — which is why census figures show essentially no resident households with children there. Students at East River Academy almost certainly commute in from surrounding South Bronx blocks, which are among the most economically challenged in the city. The lack of nearby subway access means most families reach the school by bus or other arrangement.
No subway station is within a 20-minute walk of the school — families will need to plan other transportation.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Economic Need & Special Populations
How to get in, step by step
Pre-K
East River Academy also has Pre-K classes. They're a separate application from kindergarten, made on MySchools.
Pre-K application
Applications typically open in the winter and close in the spring, with offers in late spring; the city announces exact dates each year.
Kindergarten
District 7 is a school-choice district, so it has no elementary zones: no address guarantees a seat at East River Academy. Families across the district apply on MySchools, and seats go to priority groups first (siblings, then families in the school's area — District 7 is split into a north and a south area), then by random lottery.
Kindergarten application
- Opens
- Wed, Dec 9
- Closes
- Fri, Jan 22
- Offers
- Tue, Mar 30
The DOE’s published dates.
- 1Apply on MySchools during the kindergarten application.
- 2Rank every school you'd accept, in true preference order — with no zoned seat to fall back on, a longer list matters.
Middle school (6th grade)
Middle school is one citywide application, made in 5th grade. We don't have East River Academy's program list, so read how each of its programs admits on MySchools before you rank it.
Middle school application
- Opened
- Wed, Oct 14
- Closes
- Fri, Dec 11
- Offers
- Wed, Apr 7
The DOE’s published dates.
- 1Apply on MySchools during the middle school application, in 5th grade.
- 2Rank programs in true preference order — the match places your child in the highest-ranked one that offers a seat.
Open houses and tours
We haven’t seen open-house dates for this school yet.
From the MySchools admissions calendar, checked weekly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is East River Academy a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for East River Academy yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades Pre-K to 8 in Rikers Island.
- What grades does East River Academy serve?
- East River Academy serves grades Pre-K to 8.
- How do students get into East River Academy?
- East River Academy admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
- Is East River Academy public, charter, or private?
- East River Academy is a public school in NYC Community School District 7.
- What neighborhood is East River Academy in?
- East River Academy is in Rikers Island, Bronx.