High School for Media and Communications

No state test proficiency data is publicly reported for this school, which means parents won't find the usual comparison points when evaluating academic performance. The district averages for District 6 are 47% in ELA and 52% in Math — both below citywide averages — so this school's relative position is difficult to assess from test data alone. Class sizes average 21.9 students, essentially matching the district average.

This is where the school stands out dramatically: 99% of parents rate instruction quality as excellent, and nearly all families report trusting teachers and the principal (both at 99%). These numbers far exceed district averages. Teacher-reported collegial trust runs lower at 79%, though teacher-principal trust remains strong at 93%. With zero suspensions and an 88% family survey response rate, the environment feels collaborative and stable — though the small teacher survey sample (30 responses) means some caution is warranted in interpreting teacher sentiment.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (87%), reflecting the surrounding Washington Heights neighborhood, with small Black (10%) and minimal Asian (1%) and White (2%) populations. At 330 students total, this is a small high school — parents seeking a tight-knit community will find it here. The diversity index sits at 27%, and 21% of students have IEPs. Nearly all students (93% economic need index) come from households facing financial challenges, making the high parent satisfaction numbers especially meaningful.

Washington Heights is a transit-rich, family-dense neighborhood where 80% of residents rate the area as family-friendly. However, the safety score of 9.96 (on a 0-100 scale) indicates real concerns — crime density and collision rates are elevated, and asthma-related emergency department visits run high (155 per 10,000). The area is predominantly rental (82.5% homeownership), with a median home value of $575,428 and household income around $77,000. Families here are largely working-class, with 41.8% holding bachelor's degrees.

The transit score of 76 makes this highly accessible by subway and bus, though the low safety score means families should discuss commute timing and routes with teens. The neighborhood is walkable for local families, but those coming from farther afield will rely on public transit.