Harold O. Levy School

Test scores at Harold O. Levy are well below the District 6 average: 29.6% ELA proficiency versus 47% district-wide, and 20.7% math versus 52% district-wide. The overall quality rating of 1.01 out of 4 places it firmly in the lower tier of Manhattan middle schools. However, the trend over the past decade shows some volatility — ELA climbed from 19.6% in 2016 to 29.6% in 2025, while math has been flatter, hovering between 10-21%. Grade-level breakdown reveals a concerning pattern: 8th graders outperform significantly in ELA (35.7%) but struggle in math (10%), while 7th graders show the opposite (23.7% ELA, 39% math). This suggests uneven instructional strength across subjects and grades rather than systematic improvement.

The climate data tells a different story than the academics — and it's largely positive. Parent satisfaction hits 95%, teacher-principal trust is a perfect 100%, and parent-principal trust stands at 98%. Teachers report 94% instruction quality and 98% collegial trust. These are extraordinary numbers that suggest strong leadership and a collaborative environment. The discipline trajectory is particularly noteworthy: suspensions dropped from 9 in 2021-22 to zero in 2023-24, indicating meaningful behavioral interventions. The tradeoff is attendance — the 87.1% attendance rate is below the 91% district average, and chronic absenteeism is a serious issue at 55.2%, affecting both boys and girls and disproportionately impacting Hispanic and Black students.

This is one of the least diverse middle schools in Manhattan — 92% Hispanic, 7% Black, 1% Asian, 1% White, with a diversity index of just 19%. That said, it mirrors the Inwood neighborhood, which is also predominantly Hispanic. About a third of students (31%) have Individualized Education Programs, indicating significant special education population. The school offers ELL support but minimal other programs — the program richness score of 34.7 out of 100 reflects limited offerings beyond academic acceleration and language support.

Inwood is a dense, working-class neighborhood in Upper Manhattan with strong Latino roots and good transit access (63.6 score). It's family-oriented (family density score of 53.26) but faces real challenges: the safety score of 10.34 is extremely low, reflecting higher crime density than most Manhattan neighborhoods. Median household income is $63,123 with a 15.4% poverty rate. Homeownership is rare at just 9.2%, meaning most families rent. There are parks and community resources, but parents should be aware of the safety landscape.

Inwood is highly walkable with good subway access via the A train and several bus lines. Many families in this dense neighborhood can walk to school, though the safety concerns mean parents may prefer to accompany younger middle schoolers.