Family Life Academy Charter School III

Test scores here are below the district average — 47.2% in ELA versus 51.3% districtwide, and 49.1% in math essentially matching the 49% district average. The historical trend tells a cautionary story: this school was a math powerhouse in 2017-2019, posting 70-79% proficiency, but fell dramatically during the pandemic disruption to the mid-30s in 2024. The 2025 results show meaningful recovery (49% math, up from 39%), suggesting the school may be turning a corner. Grade-level patterns are uneven — Grade 4 performs strongly (64% ELA, 68% math) while Grade 3 struggles (32% ELA) and Grade 5 math lags significantly (36%). This inconsistency suggests instructional quality may vary by grade or that younger students were more affected by pandemic-era disruptions.

Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 57% — far above the district average — meaning more than half of students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent. This rate is notably higher for male students (62%) and Black students (68%), suggesting some subgroups face greater barriers to attendance. Teacher instruction quality scores 83%, modestly below the 88% district average. The school does not have suspension data available, making it hard to fully assess discipline climate, but the high absenteeism and slightly lower teacher-reported quality suggest a culture that may be struggling with engagement and consistency. Families considering this school should ask specifically about what supports are in place for attendance and student wellbeing.

This is a small school (256 students, average class size of 21) with a predominantly Hispanic student body (70%) and 28% Black students — reflecting the surrounding Concourse neighborhood's demographics. Nearly 9% of students have IEPs, and the economic need index of 88 indicates virtually all families face significant financial hardship. The diversity index of 38% is low, meaning the student body is fairly homogeneous, which can foster a tight-knit community but offers less exposure to diverse perspectives. With 93% of families in the district reporting satisfaction (district average), parent voice appears relatively strong in District 7 charter schools overall.

The Concourse-Concourse Village neighborhood in the Bronx is a high-density, high-need area with a poverty rate of 34% and median household income of just $40,000. Only 14% of households have children, and just 16% of residents have a bachelor's degree — meaning many families here are navigating educational and economic challenges with limited local resources. Transit access is strong (67rd percentile), which helps with commute flexibility. However, safety scores are extremely low (2.7 out of 100), and environmental health concerns are significant: elevated lead rates (15%) and very high asthma rates (76 per 1,000) suggest ongoing health burdens for young children. Families here are typically renters (11% homeownership) in a neighborhood that has seen rapid development but retains deep socioeconomic disparities.

The neighborhood is highly urban and transit-accessible, but safety concerns — particularly around crime density and traffic collisions — mean families should consider the walking route carefully and may prefer older elementary students over younger ones walking alone.