East Side Middle School

ELA proficiency of 82.6% and math at 85.2% place this school roughly 10 percentage points above the District 2 averages (73.2% ELA, 72.5% math), which is meaningful ground. However, the trajectory warrants attention: ELA peaked at 95% in 2018 and math at 96.8% in 2019, and both have since fallen roughly 12-13 points. The 2025 scores show a slight bounce in math (up from 84.1%) while ELA continues its gradual slide. By grade, eighth graders lead in ELA (83.7%) while seventh graders lead in math (90%), suggesting stronger performance in the upper grades.

The day-to-day feel here is clearly positive for families — parent satisfaction hits 94%, with parent-teacher trust at 96% and parent-principal trust at 94%. Teachers report strong instruction quality (91%), and teacher collegial trust is a perfect 100%. That said, there's a notable tension: teacher-principal trust sits at only 72%, the weakest survey metric. Attendance is strong at 95.9% (well above the 92% district average), and discipline is exemplary with zero suspensions for three straight years. The chronic absenteeism data shows some disparity by group, with Black students at 86.7% and Hispanic students at 89% versus White students at 95.7% — a gap worth understanding for families considering the school.

With 52% White, 20% Asian, 16% Hispanic, and 6% Black students, the demographics skew whiter than the broader city but are typical for this affluent Upper East Side neighborhood. The diversity index of 71% is moderate. Economic need is low at 19.1%, reflecting the surrounding area's prosperity. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support — both notable for a screened school in this area. The PTA raised over $242,000 last year ($580 per student), well above the district average of $517.

The Upper East Side-Yorkville area is a quintessential family neighborhood: highly educated (77% BA+), affluent ($137K median income), and transit-rich (89th percentile). Family density scores at 100, meaning this is one of the most child-saturated areas in the city. Education orientation is also extremely high at 90.8. Safety metrics show some concerns (crime density is elevated, air quality and asthma rates warrant attention for sensitive children), but the area is broadly considered family-friendly. There are numerous parks and the neighborhood has a settled, residential feel.

The area is highly walkable with excellent subway access via the 4/5/6 lines. Most students walk or take public transit from the surrounding blocks, making car-free commutes realistic for most families.