At a Glance
A high-performing KIPP charter in West Harlem that's moved hundreds of low-income students above district averages for nearly a decade.
Best suited for
Families who want a structured, college-oriented K-8 experience with a proven academic track record, are comfortable with a large charter setting, and whose children would benefit from extended learning time.
Overall Rating
Grades 3–8
Rating = average of NY State ELA + math proficiency, grades 3–8
High school
Rating = average of 4-year graduation, English Regents college-ready and Regents completion · DOE 2024 report
Bands are Motley's thresholds on a 0–100 scale, not New York State performance levels.
How this is scored→What stands out
- Sustained academic edge: ELA proficiency has climbed roughly 20 percentage points since 2016, outpacing District 5 the entire way.
- Parent trust is among the highest in the district at 97-98%, signaling strong family-school relationships among engaged families.
- Fourth-grade results are exceptional (81% ELA, 82% math), suggesting strong foundations in the elementary years.
- Part of the national KIPP network, bringing structured college-prep culture, extended learning hours, and a K-through-college philosophy.
- Large by NYC standards at nearly 1,840 students, giving the school real resources and program breadth but a less intimate feel.
Things to consider
- Eighth-grade math proficiency is 34.9% — a steep drop from upper elementary and a real concern for families thinking past fifth grade.
- Chronic absenteeism is 65.3%, meaning most students miss significant school; ask how the school follows up on attendance.
- Teacher-reported instruction quality (78.8%) is meaningfully below the district average (88%) — worth asking about during a school visit.
- Only 10% of families responded to the parent survey, so the glowing trust scores reflect a vocal subset, not the full parent body.
- Enrollment of 1,841 is large; families seeking a tight-knit elementary feel should ask about grade-level pod sizes.
- Charter lottery means admission isn't guaranteed even if you live nearby.
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 5
In a district where most schools cluster in the 2.0-2.3 overall-score range, KIPP Infinity's 2.76 places it well above the District 5 average of 2.09 — alongside other high-performing charters like Success Academy Harlem branches and Harlem Village Academy West.
Academics
At 70.2% ELA proficiency and 67.6% math, KIPP Infinity sits well above the District 5 averages of roughly 54% and 51% — that's a real and consistent edge, not noise. ELA has climbed meaningfully since 2016 (49.5% to 70.2%), while math has bounced between the high 60s and low 80s over the same span, dipping noticeably after the pandemic and partially recovering. The grade-level breakdown reveals the school's uneven edge: fourth grade is a powerhouse at 81% ELA and 82% math, while eighth-grade math collapses to 34.9% — a sharp drop worth asking about if you have an older child entering.
Culture
Parents who respond to surveys love this school: 93% satisfaction and parent-trust scores of 97-98% are at the top of the district. But only 10% of families actually responded to the survey, so take the enthusiasm with a grain of salt — it may reflect the most engaged families. Day-to-day attendance runs at 91%, above the district average, but chronic absenteeism is high (almost two-thirds of students miss 10%+ of school days), which is a real flag for learning continuity. Teacher-reported instruction quality lands at 78.8%, notably below the district's 88% — worth probing during a visit.
Community
The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic (64%) and Black (33%), reflecting the surrounding neighborhood and broader Upper Manhattan demographics. With an economic need index of 80.8%, four out of five students qualify as low-income, and 18% have IEPs. The diversity index of 44% reflects the school's two-group concentration rather than broad cross-schoolbreadth.
Neighborhood
Manhattanville-West Harlem is a renter-majority neighborhood where only 5% of households own their homes and the median household income sits around $44,556. About a quarter of residents live below the poverty line, and just 8.6% of households have children — relatively low for a residential area, suggesting many KIPP Infinity families commute in. A third of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The Columbia expansion has nudged property values upward over the past decade.
The 1 train at 137 St-City College is about a 5-minute walk, with 125 St (1) roughly 7 minutes away and 145 St (1) about 12 minutes on foot.
Enrollment & applying
Enrollment availability is tracked from the school's published listings and refreshed daily. Confirm cycle dates on the school's own site before applying.
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
Science Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Science exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Historical Trends
The dashed line marks 2023, when New York changed its grades 3–8 state tests. Scores before and after it aren’t directly comparable.
2020–2021 data unavailable due to COVID-19
Source: NYC DOE School Quality Reports
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 87 families responded (10% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is KIPP Infinity Charter School a good school?
- On Motley, KIPP Infinity Charter School earns an overall rating of 69/100 — the average of the school's New York State ELA and math proficiency, grades 3–8, shown out of 100. Its state test results run above the District 5 average. Its high school grades have their own rating, 69/100, from graduation and Regents results.
- What grades does KIPP Infinity Charter School serve?
- KIPP Infinity Charter School serves grades K to 8.
- How do students get into KIPP Infinity Charter School?
- KIPP Infinity Charter School is a charter school — it admits through a free public lottery, with no test or attendance zone.
- Is KIPP Infinity Charter School public, charter, or private?
- KIPP Infinity Charter School is a public charter school in NYC Community School District 5.
- What neighborhood is KIPP Infinity Charter School in?
- KIPP Infinity Charter School is in Manhattanville-West Harlem, Manhattan.