KIPP Freedom Charter School

KIPP Freedom outperforms District 12 significantly — ELA at 60.9% and math at 55.3% compared to district averages of 44.6% and 43.3% respectively. The overall score of 2.32/4 sits well above the district average of 1.76. However, the grade-level breakdown reveals unevenness: Grade 8 students show strong ELA (69.7%) but struggle in math (37.5%), while Grade 7 performs strongly in both subjects. The historical trend shows growth from 2019 to 2023, though 2024 saw a dip in ELA before recovery in 2025. Math performance has been particularly volatile year over year, suggesting inconsistent instructional outcomes across cohorts.

Parent satisfaction is remarkably high at 94%, with nearly all families expressing trust in teachers (95%) and the principal (96%). This suggests a school culture where families feel heard and respected. However, the teacher survey had only 3 responses — too small to draw meaningful conclusions about staff sentiment. The attendance rate of 90.9% is slightly above district average, but the chronic absenteeism rate of 67.7% is a serious concern, affecting both male (69%) and female (66.6%) students similarly. Black students (70%) and Hispanic students (65.7%) both experience high absenteeism rates, pointing to systemic barriers — possibly transportation, health issues, or housing instability — rather than school culture problems.

The student body reflects the Tremont neighborhood: 62% Hispanic, 35% Black, with minimal Asian (1%) and White (1%) enrollment. With an economic need index of 86.9% and 21% of students having IEPs, this is a school serving predominantly low-income families with significant special education needs. The diversity index of 44% is modest but appropriate for the neighborhood context. Class sizes average 22.9 students, slightly larger than the district average of 21.9.

Tremont is a densely populated, transit-accessible Bronx neighborhood with significant family presence (81st percentile for family density) but faces real challenges. The median household income of $32,208 is well below city averages, and only 7.5% of residents own homes. Education levels are low — just 15% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. Safety is a concern: the safety score of 4.98 out of 100 is extremely low, with elevated crime density and lead exposure rates (15.2%). However, transit access is strong (59.77 percentile) and the neighborhood has moderate stability (63.6 percentile).

The school is accessible by transit in this dense Bronx neighborhood, though families should factor in commute time given the area's transit infrastructure