At a Glance
A small, family-rooted middle school in Washington Heights where math is strong but chronic absenteeism demands attention
Families who value a small, intimate school with nearly perfect parent trust and strong math instruction — and who can actively work to combat chronic absenteeism. Best for families already in the Washington Heights community who want their child known by name, who are comfortable with a nearly all-Hispanic student body, and who will prioritize getting kids to school every day.
- Math achievement that now exceeds district averages after a decade of growth
- Near-perfect parent trust scores (99%) suggesting strong family-school partnerships
- Almost zero suspensions (0.3% over three years) — a very gentle disciplinary environment
- Rich program offerings (89/100) including Lego Robotics, dance, and Regents-level science despite small enrollment
- Tiny school means teachers likely know every student by name
- 75.8% chronic absenteeism is among the highest in the district — families should ask what's driving this
- ELA scores lag behind math and sit below the district average
- Very low diversity — if your family values a mixed student body, this may not be the fit
- Only 18 teacher survey responses (low response rate may skew the data)
- The school serves grades 6-8 only — families need a high school plan
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 6
District 6 is competitive, with charter schools like Zeta Inwood (93/100) and Success Washington Heights (90/100) leading the pack. Bea Fuller Rodgers matches the district average overall (1.98 vs 1.98) but outpaces on math (55.4% vs 52.1%) while lagging slightly on ELA (43.7% vs 47.1%). It's not a top performer, but it's a solid neighborhood option with strong community trust — a meaningful alternative to the lottery-heavy charter scene.
Math scores have nearly quintupled from 10.3% in 2016 to 55.4% in 2025 — now above the district average — while ELA hovers around 43%, slightly below the 47% district average. Grade 8 outperforms (51.9% ELA, 55.7% math), suggesting the school does well with older students. The overall score matches the district at 1.98/4, meaning this is a solid district school — not a standout, but not struggling compared to peers.
The survey numbers are striking: 98% parent satisfaction and 99% parent trust in both teachers and the principal — numbers most schools would envy. Teacher-reported instruction quality sits at 87%, slightly below the 90% district average. With just one suspension last year and a 0% suspension rate, discipline is clearly not a daily issue. But the 75.8% chronic absenteeism rate — nearly eight in ten students — is a major red flag that suggests the school's warm culture hasn't translated into getting kids through the door consistently.
This is a nearly all-Hispanic school (97%) in a neighborhood where about three-quarters of residents identify as Hispanic. With 87% economic need and 29% IEP students, the student body reflects a community facing real challenges. The small 236-student enrollment means class sizes stay manageable at 22 students. At 9% diversity index, the school isn't bringing together different communities — it's serving one community very specifically.
Washington Heights is a transit-rich, family-dense neighborhood with strong education orientation (60th percentile). The median home value of $575,000 signals an area in transition, and while 17.5% homeownership suggests many families rent, the high education rate (42% BA+) points to working professionals. Safety scores are low (10th percentile), and air quality concerns exist (elevated PM2.5 and asthma rates), but families report strong community ties.
The neighborhood has excellent transit access (76th percentile), and the school is in a walkable urban area. Families in Washington Heights and nearby Inwood can typically walk or take short bus rides.
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) · 216 families responded (95% rate)
Programs & Activities
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School a good school?
- On Motley, I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School earns an overall quality score of 50/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 6 average.
- What grades does I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School serve?
- I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School serves grades 6 to 8.
- How do students get into I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School?
- I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
- Is I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School public, charter, or private?
- I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School is a public school in NYC Community School District 6.
- What neighborhood is I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School in?
- I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School is in Washington Heights (North), Manhattan.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.