At a Glance
A small, high-need school in a transit-accessible Bronx neighborhood where families report unusually strong satisfaction despite significant community challenges
Families seeking a small, intimate school environment in the Bronx where they feel genuinely connected to staff and community. Best suited for parents who prioritize relationship-based education and are comfortable with a school serving a high-need population. Families may want to dig deeper on academic outcomes before enrolling, as those numbers aren't publicly available.
- Very high parent satisfaction (94%) in a high-need community — families feel heard and valued
- Small enrollment (91 students) creates intimate classroom settings
- Low suspension rate (0.42%) suggests restorative, supportive discipline practices
- Strong teacher-reported instruction quality (90%)
- Serves grades Pre-K through 12 under one roof, creating a K-12 community
- No academic proficiency data available — parents must inquire directly about student outcomes
- Located in a neighborhood with significant safety concerns (crime density of 4,537)
- Very low proportion of households with children (12.7%) — may feel isolated for families
- High economic need (83.6%) means many students arrive with significant support needs
- 25% of students have IEPs — important for families evaluating special education services
- School appears to serve ages 3-18, which is unusual — verify grade configurations
Based on 2024 data
School SummaryDistrict 9
Among District 9 peer schools, Garden of Learning does not appear on the top-performing charter school list (where schools like Icahn Charter 1 score 99/100 and Success Academy schools score 93-97). Without academic proficiency data, it's difficult to position this school precisely among peers. However, the strong parent satisfaction and teacher commitment suggest a school that excels in community relationship-building even if standardized outcomes may lag behind top-tier charters.
Academic proficiency data is not currently available for this school, making it difficult to assess student performance relative to district averages. The district averages 44.75% in ELA and 44.70% in Math, but without this school's specific scores, parents should contact administrators directly for academic outcome information.
The culture and climate data reveals a notable disconnect between community challenges and school-based sentiment. Teachers report 90% instruction quality and 83% safety — both slightly below district averages but still strong. The school has maintained a low suspension rate of 0.42%, suggesting a restorative approach to discipline. Parent satisfaction stands at an impressive 94%, indicating families feel heard and valued despite the surrounding neighborhood's difficulties.
The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographics: 64% Hispanic, 28% Black, 4% Asian, and 4% white, with a 51% diversity index. A quarter of students have IEPs, and 83.6% come from economically disadvantaged households — numbers that tell the story of a community serving families with significant support needs. Despite these challenges, the high parent satisfaction score suggests families feel connected and supported.
Highbridge is a high-poverty Bronx neighborhood where only 12.7% of households have children, making this school a rare family-oriented institution. The area scores very low on safety (3.45/100) with high crime density, and environmental health concerns include elevated lead rates (15.2%) and high asthma-related emergency visits (75.5 per 1,000). Transit access is solid (62/100), and there's moderate family stability (66/100), but the education orientation score is low (24.9/100). The neighborhood has a 4.5% homeownership rate and median income of $40,235.
The area is walkable with access to the 4 train at 167th Street, though parents should be aware of the neighborhood's safety challenges when commuting with children. Families from further afield may find the transit access convenient for getting to school.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades K to 12 in Highbridge.
- What grades does Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center serve?
- Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center serves grades K to 12.
- Is Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center public, charter, or private?
- Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center is a public school in NYC Community School District 9.
- What neighborhood is Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center in?
- Garden of Learning and Discovery Pre-K Center is in Highbridge, Bronx.
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