Grant Avenue Elementary School

Test scores here have followed an unusual trajectory — they climbed steadily from 2016 through 2019, then dropped during COVID (as they did everywhere), then rebounded dramatically. The 2025 scores (44.4% ELA, 41.4% math) are now essentially level with the district averages, which is notable given that 91.7% of students here qualify for free lunch. Grade 4 and 5 students are performing strongest in ELA (around 49-50%), while math peaks in grade 3 and 4 before dipping in grade 5. These aren’t standout scores, but for a high-need neighborhood school, the upward momentum matters.

This is where the story gets interesting. Parent satisfaction (95%), trust in teachers (96%), trust in the principal (96%), and reported strong relationships (100%) all exceed or match district averages. Teachers report similarly high trust in leadership (97%) and each other (97%). The school has zero suspensions — a rare finding that suggests either very effective behavior management or a very particular school culture. That said, chronic absenteeism is high at 59.3%, and teachers report feeling slightly less safe (79%) than the district average (83%). The day-to-day feel seems to be one of strong community but some underlying instability in attendance and perhaps neighborhood safety concerns.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (63%) and Black (27%), reflecting the neighborhood’s demographics. Nearly a third of students have IEPs, which is higher than average. The diversity index sits at 55%, and with 91.7% economic need, this is a school serving families with significant challenges. PTA fundraising is minimal at $3 per student — well below the district average — suggesting limited extra resources but also reflecting the neighborhood’s economic constraints.

Concourse Village is a densely built urban neighborhood in the South Bronx with a high family population but relatively few households with children (13.7%). Median income is low ($40,255), homeownership is rare (11%), and only 16% of adults have college degrees. Transit access is strong (67th percentile), but safety indicators show elevated crime density, collision rates, and childhood asthma rates. There are parks in the broader area, but the neighborhood scores low on education orientation — meaning families here are navigating schools without the typical support network of higher-income areas.

The school is accessible by multiple bus lines and is walkable from nearby residential blocks, though families from further east in the district may rely on busing or longer walks.