KIPP Academy Charter School

KIPP Academy delivers strong academic performance that significantly outpaces the district average — 69.3% ELA proficiency versus 51.3% district-wide, and 73% math versus 49%. The school has shown a clear upward trend from its 2016 baseline (43.2% ELA, 51.5% math), with scores fluctuating but trending higher over time. Performance is particularly strong in middle school: Grade 8 students hit 82.1% ELA proficiency, and Grade 7 math reached 80.2%. Elementary performance is solid if slightly lower, with Grade 3-5 math ranging from 66-76%. The 2.85 overall score places it well above the district average of 2.0.

The culture picture is mixed. Families overwhelmingly trust the school — parent satisfaction, parent-teacher trust, and parent-principal trust all sit at 97%. However, teachers report lower confidence: instruction quality scores 78% (below the 88% district average), and only 67% feel safe at work compared to 80.5% district-wide. Teacher collegial trust is notably low at 61%. Attendance is stable at 91.5%, matching the district, but chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 68.6%. Discipline is the clearest worry — the suspension rate is 12%, far above the district average of 0.84%, and it has risen each year from 29 suspensions in 2021-22 to 48 in 2023-24. This suggests an increasingly punitive approach that may be affecting school climate.

The student body reflects the neighborhood: 43% Black and 55% Hispanic, with nearly all students coming from high-poverty backgrounds (84.8% economic need index). This matches the Concourse Village demographics, where poverty rates exceed 34% and only 16% of adults have bachelor's degrees. The school is 16% IEP students, which is typical. With a diversity index of 45% and an enrollment of 1,121 across K-12, it's a substantial institution in a community with few educational options.

The Concourse-Concourse Village area in the South Bronx is a high-density, transit-accessible neighborhood with significant family presence (family density score: 77). However, safety indicators are concerning — the safety score of 2.68 places this community among the lowest in the city. The neighborhood has limited education-oriented resources (score: 32) and low homeownership (11%), reflecting the predominantly rental housing stock. Families should expect a gritty urban environment with good subway access but real safety considerations.

The area is walkable with strong transit options (subway and bus access rated 66.67), though families should consider the safety context when planning commutes.