Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School

Overall proficiency scores — 51.4% in ELA and 42% in math — place this school just below the District 5 averages of 53.9% and 50.7%, respectively. The math numbers are concerning: the school posted strong math scores in 2019 (72.6%) but has seesawed since, dropping to 42% in the most recent year. ELA has been steadier, hovering around 50-54% for nearly a decade. Grade-level patterns are telling — Grade 7 shows strong math (66.3%) and Grade 3 leads in ELA (65.7%), but middle school math in particular shows significant gaps.

The attendance rate of 96.3% is impressively high compared to the district average of 88.6%, though the chronic absenteeism figure of 88.9% suggests many students are still missing enough days to be flagged — a nuance worth exploring. Survey data paints a relational picture: parents report high trust in teachers (92%) and the principal (91%), and 87% say they're satisfied. Teachers, however, are more measured — only 73% report feeling safe, and 77% rate instruction quality, both below district averages. Still, teacher trust in leadership sits at 82%, indicating decent internal cohesion despite some operational tensions.

The student body is 81% Black and 15% Hispanic, closely mirroring the neighborhood's demographics in East Harlem, where the Black and Latino communities have been central for decades. With an economic need index of 86.7% and only 18% of students receiving special education services, the school serves a predominantly low-income population. The diversity index is low at 34%, reflecting the neighborhood's distinct cultural character rather than broad demographic variety.

East Harlem (known locally as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio) is a family-dense neighborhood with a 93.49 family density score and strong education orientation (72.8). It's working-class and has seen rising home values ($675,756 median) despite low homeownership rates (8%). Transit access is excellent (82.76), making commutes manageable. However, safety indicators show challenges — the crime density is high (6,727 per unit) and air quality concerns exist (PM2.5 mean of 9.18). The neighborhood has parks and community resources, and its cultural identity is strong, but families should be aware of environmental health factors like elevated asthma rates.

The school is in a transit-rich area with strong subway and bus access, and the neighborhood is walkable for local families. However, given the safety and environmental considerations, many families may prefer organized transportation or accompany younger children