JUDITH S. KAYE SCHOOL - D79

Test score data is not available for this school, which is common for District 79 transfer schools that serve students with non-traditional academic pathways. What we know: class sizes average 20.1 students, nearly identical to the district average of 20.07, and 58% of students have IEPs — reflecting the population of students who need additional support catching up on credits and skills.

This is where Judith S. Kaye truly stands out: zero suspensions, 91% parent satisfaction (matching the district average), and 87% of teachers reporting good instruction quality and school safety. For a population of students who may have struggled in traditional settings, the school appears to have built a culture where discipline is handled through support rather than exclusion, and families feel heard and valued.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographics: 50% Black, 33% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 4% White, and 8% Native American, with a diversity index of 66%. The school serves a very high-need population — 86.9% economic need index — and over half of students have IEPs, indicating significant special education support needs. This is a school that serves students who have faced barriers to traditional schooling and need a second chance.

East Harlem (South) is a family-dense neighborhood (96th percentile) with excellent transit access (80th percentile) but significant safety and health challenges. The safety score of 12.26 and health environment score of 11.88 are both very low — families should know the neighborhood has elevated crime density and asthma rates. That said, the community has an education orientation score of 66, indicating families here value schooling, and the median home value of $828,000 suggests neighborhood investment despite economic challenges.

The neighborhood has excellent transit access, and with such a small student body, most families likely walk or take public transportation. The school serves a regional population rather than just the immediate blocks.