At a Glance
A strong-performing middle school in a quiet residential neighborhood where parent trust is exceptional despite chronic absenteeism challenges
Families who value strong parent-school relationships and a supportive environment over perfect attendance metrics will find a lot to like here. The school works well for students who need IEP or ELL support, families seeking rich extracurriculars like tennis or drama, and those living in or near Co-op City who want a neighborhood school with rising academic performance. Parents should be prepared to actively manage attendance, as the chronic absenteeism rate suggests the school struggles to retain students consistently.
- Parent trust scores among the highest in the district (96-97%)
- Grade 7 math proficiency at 72% — exceptional middle school performance
- Rich program offerings (100/100 richness score) including tennis, wrestling, STEAM, and specialized high school test prep
- Very low suspension rate (1%) suggesting a supportive discipline approach
- Strong upward academic trend over nine years
- Serves IEP and ELL students with dedicated support programs
- Chronic absenteeism at 68% is alarming — nearly 7 in 10 students miss significant school time
- Teacher trust in leadership (76%) lags well behind parent trust (96%)
- Attendance rate only barely exceeds district average despite high parent satisfaction
- Lower PTA fundraising ($20/student) than district average ($24/student)
- Teacher instruction quality ratings slightly below district average
- Neighborhood has low education orientation (28th percentile) — families may need to seek enrichment outside the area
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 11
Among district 11 peers, this school outperforms the charter school comparisons slightly on some metrics while falling below top-performing schools like Icahn Charter School 4 (96/100). Within traditional district schools, its 2.51/4 overall score and above-average test scores place it in the upper tier. However, the chronic absenteeism crisis is an outlier worth noting — it's not a universal district problem but rather a specific challenge here.
Test scores here have climbed steadily from 39% ELA in 2016 to 66% in 2025 — a 27-point jump that puts the school solidly above the district average of 57% ELA and 56% math. Math has been the bigger turnaround story, jumping from the mid-30s in 2022 to 59% in 2025. Grade 7 stands out as the strongest academic year, with 72% math proficiency — exceptional for middle school. The overall 2.51/4 score also beats the district average of 2.25.
Parent satisfaction is extraordinary at 96%, with nearly identical trust scores for teachers (97%) and the principal (96%). Teachers report 89% instruction quality — solid though slightly below the district average of 92%. However, there's a notable gap in how teachers view leadership: teacher-principal trust sits at 76% and teacher collegial trust at 75%, both lower than parent trust. The suspension rate is just 1%, indicating a restorative approach. The real challenge is chronic absenteeism: a staggering 68% of students are chronically absent, with rates highest among Asian students (74%) and lowest among Hispanic students (60%).
The school is majority Black (57%) with substantial Hispanic enrollment (28%), reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. Nearly a quarter of students (24%) have IEPs, and the school serves English Language Learners. With an economic need index of 70%, families here face significant challenges, yet the community shows strong engagement — 113 families completed the school survey, and PTA fundraising generated nearly $15,000. The diversity index of 62% indicates meaningful exposure to different backgrounds.
Co-op City is a unique planned community of large co-op apartment buildings, known for relative affordability and stability. The poverty rate is low at 11% and homeownership is higher than many Bronx neighborhoods at 44%, though only 12% of households have children. Transit access is moderate (61st percentile) and safety scores are below average (59th percentile). There are parks and green spaces typical of large developments, and the area has a suburban feel within the Bronx.
Most families likely commute by car or bus — the area is auto-oriented with limited walkable commercial corridors, and the school sits near major roads in the northeastern Bronx.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 113 families responded (24% rate)
Programs & Activities
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is I.S. 181 Pablo Casals a good school?
- On Motley, I.S. 181 Pablo Casals earns an overall quality score of 63/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 11 average.
- What grades does I.S. 181 Pablo Casals serve?
- I.S. 181 Pablo Casals serves grades 6 to 8.
- How do students get into I.S. 181 Pablo Casals?
- I.S. 181 Pablo Casals is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is I.S. 181 Pablo Casals public, charter, or private?
- I.S. 181 Pablo Casals is a public school in NYC Community School District 11.
- What neighborhood is I.S. 181 Pablo Casals in?
- I.S. 181 Pablo Casals is in Co-op City, Bronx.
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