KIPP Always Mentally Prepared Charter School

KIPP AMP has transformed from a school where roughly a third of students were proficient in 2016 to one where three-quarters are proficient now — 74.3% ELA and 75.4% math in 2025. That's 14 points above the district average in ELA and a striking 18 points above in math. The gains haven't been steady (scores dipped in 2022-2023, likely pandemic-related), but the 2025 jump is dramatic. Looking at grade-level data, Grade 7 math at 90.8% stands out, and even Grade 8 math at 65% is solid. The school's overall 2.99/4 score places it firmly above district averages — this is a place where kids are learning, and the trend line over nine years shows it.

The numbers here tell a complicated story. Parents love the school — 91% satisfaction, 91% trust in teachers, 93% trust in the principal. Those are strong numbers that reflect real family buy-in. But the chronic absenteeism rate of 63.3% is alarmingly high, affecting both boys (62.6%) and girls (64%) roughly equally. That's not a discipline problem — it's a attendance problem that likely reflects the challenges families in a high-need neighborhood (79.6% economic need index) face getting kids to school every day. Teacher survey response was very low (only 4 responses), which makes the 82.4% instruction quality rating harder to interpret. The culture feels like one where families who are engaged are very happy, but getting all 885 kids through the door consistently is a daily struggle.

This is a predominantly Black school (83%) in a neighborhood that's 20% poverty with a median household income of $73,859. The demographic breakdown — 83% Black, 12% Hispanic, with minimal Asian and white representation — reflects the Crown Heights community around it. The diversity index of 34% is low, which is worth noting for families seeking diverse settings. With 18% IEP students, the school does serve a meaningful special education population. The 79.6% economic need index tells you this is a school where most families are navigating real financial constraints, and that shapes everything from attendance to after-school logistics.

Crown Heights North is a transit-rich, family-dense neighborhood (scores 90 on family density, 87 on transit) but one with real safety concerns — the safety score of 13.79 is very low. The neighborhood has a strong education orientation (77) and median home values over $1 million, yet only 16% homeownership means most families are renters. There's a mix of long-term residents and newer arrivals, and the area has seen significant changes in recent years. For families, the tradeoffs are clear: easy subway access, family-oriented feel, but safety concerns that require awareness.

The neighborhood's high transit score (87) means most families arrive by subway or bus — Park Place is accessible but families should factor in commute times. The low safety score suggests daytime and after-school caution is warranted.