At a Glance
A arts-driven school with sky-high parent trust and zero suspensions in a high-need Bronx neighborhood
Families seeking a small, arts-focused high school in the Bronx who value strong parent-school relationships and a supportive, low-discipline environment. Particularly well-suited for students with IEPs (the school has robust special education services) and families comfortable with the tradeoffs of a neighborhood with limited transit access and safety concerns. Best fit for families who prioritize creative expression and community feel over standardized test performance.
- Zero suspensions — a remarkable discipline record in a high-need setting
- 98% parent satisfaction rate, nearly triple the district average difference
- Specialized arts labs with only 12.5% acceptance rate — demand far exceeds supply
- 33% of students have IEPs — strong special education programming
- School as arts hub — visual, audio, media, creative writing, and performing arts under one roof
- No academic proficiency data provided — difficult to assess academic outcomes
- Teacher response rate very low (13 teachers) — survey data for staff may not be representative
- Low transit accessibility and safety scores in surrounding neighborhood
- Only 303 students total — smaller school may mean fewer course options
- ELL support and Spanish are the only language offerings beyond English
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 11
District 11 has several high-performing charter schools (Icahn schools scoring 87-96, Bronx Charter School for Excellence at 93-94). Without academic proficiency data, it's difficult to directly compare this school to its peers. However, the charter schools in this district are notably strong, and this zoned public school operates in a very different space — serving high-need students with a creative arts focus rather than academic selectivity.
Academic proficiency data was not provided, making it difficult to assess student achievement outcomes. The school offers AP courses and maintains a program richness score of 76.2/100, with arts and world languages as core offerings. Without state test data, parents should request recent performance reports directly from the school.
This is where the school truly stands out — parent satisfaction hits 98%, with near-universal trust in teachers (99%) and the principal (98%). Teacher-reported instruction quality is lower at 79%, though this comes from a small sample of 13 responses. The zero suspension rate is remarkable and suggests a restorative or supportive approach to discipline. Teacher collegial trust sits at 69%, indicating some division among staff that may be worth asking about during a visit.
The student body reflects the neighborhood's predominantly Black (39%) and Hispanic (54%) population, with a diversity index of 54%. With 89.8% economic need and one-third of students on IEPs, this is a school serving a high-need population. The 33% IEP rate is notably above city averages and suggests strong special education programming.
Williamsbridge-Olinville in the Bronx is a stable, working-class community (85th percentile stability) with a 22.5% poverty rate and median income around $55,000. The area scores low on safety (18th percentile) and transit access (41st percentile), but family density is moderate (65th percentile). Environmental health indicators show concerns — elevated lead rates and high asthma emergency department visits are notable. The neighborhood is not particularly walkable for most families, and transit options are limited.
Most families will rely on bus or car. The area's low transit score (41st percentile) and safety concerns (18th percentile) mean parents should consider transportation logistics carefully, especially for younger students.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 181 families responded (66% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
An intensive, collaborative, and interactive program emphasizing creative writing, dance, acting (stage and film), and music (vocal and keyboard).
An intensive, collaborative, and interactive program with an emphasis on fine arts, multi-media, and computer graphic/animation design.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is High School for Contemporary Arts a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for High School for Contemporary Arts yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Williamsbridge-Olinville.
- What grades does High School for Contemporary Arts serve?
- High School for Contemporary Arts serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into High School for Contemporary Arts?
- High School for Contemporary Arts uses the Educational Option (Ed-Opt) method, ranking applicants across performance levels so seats go to a mix of abilities.
- Is High School for Contemporary Arts public, charter, or private?
- High School for Contemporary Arts is a public school in NYC Community School District 11.
- What neighborhood is High School for Contemporary Arts in?
- High School for Contemporary Arts is in Williamsbridge-Olinville, Bronx.
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Discipline
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