I.S. 219 New Venture School

Test scores at I.S. 219 lag behind the District 9 average — 33.8% ELA proficiency versus 44.8% district-wide, and 32.2% math versus 44.7% district. However, the raw numbers understate the school's trajectory. In 2016, just 9.3% of students passed ELA and a mere 2.7% passed math. By 2025, those figures reached 33.8% and 32.2% respectively — a dramatic improvement, particularly in math, which has grown at a steeper rate than most peer schools. Grade 8 shows the strongest ELA performance at 35.4%, while Grade 7 leads in math at 33.7%. The overall quality score of 1.32/4 sits below the district average of 1.79, but the upward trend suggests the school is closing gaps faster than most in the area.

The climate data reveals a striking disconnect: families love this school even as the data shows real struggles. Parent satisfaction hits 96% — above the district average — with parent-principal trust at 97% and parent-teacher trust at 98%. Teachers report 100% instruction quality, a remarkable finding that far exceeds the district average of 90%. However, teacher-principal trust sits lower at 83%, and the teaching staff is small (only 12 survey responses), which may skew results. Attendance is a concern: the 89% rate is slightly below district average, and chronic absenteeism reaches a troubling 62.8% — meaning nearly two-thirds of students miss significant school time. The suspension rate of 2% is higher than the district average of 0.4% and has increased from just 1-2 suspensions in prior years to 6 in 2023-24. This combination — high family trust, strong teacher-reported instruction, but poor attendance and rising discipline — suggests a school where engaged families thrive but where structural absenteeism and behavioral challenges persist.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographics: 58% Hispanic, 38% Black, 3% White, with virtually no Asian or multi-racial students. A striking 40% of students have IEPs — far above typical middle school rates — indicating the school serves a high-needs population. The diversity index of 48% is moderate for the Bronx. Compared to the neighborhood's characteristics — very low income, high poverty, low homeownership — the school's demographics align closely with the community it serves. This is a neighborhood school in the fullest sense, drawing from families facing economic hardship.

Claremont Village sits in the South Bronx, a neighborhood where the poverty rate exceeds 44% and median household income is just over $30,000. The area scores poorly on safety (11th percentile) and education orientation (23rd percentile), though transit access is strong (75th percentile) due to proximity to the 2/5 trains. The neighborhood has very few families with children — only 10% of households — and almost no homeownership (2.7%). These are challenging conditions for a school: families face economic stress, and the community has historically received fewer educational resources than wealthier parts of the city. That this school maintains 96% family satisfaction in this context is notable.

The school is accessible by walking from nearby residential blocks in Claremont Village, though families from farther afield rely on the strong transit options (multiple bus lines and the 2/5 trains at nearby stations). The neighborhood's low walkability score and safety concerns mean younger children may need direct supervision.