KIPP NYC Washington Heights Academy Charter School

KIPP Washington Heights outperforms District 6 averages — ELA at 57% versus the district's 47% and math at 62.7% versus 52%. The school shows a clear recovery pattern: math scores plummeted to 42.9% in 2022 (COVID impact) but rebounded to 62.7% by 2025, essentially matching pre-pandemic levels. ELA followed a similar path, climbing from 39.1% in 2022 to 57% now, still slightly below the 2018-2019 peak but trending upward. Grade-level patterns are notable — strong performance in grades 4, 7, and 8 (math above 74%), with middle school showing particular strength. The school scores 2.39/4 overall, above the district average of 1.98.

Survey data reveals exceptionally strong trust in leadership: 100% of parents trust the principal and 97% trust teachers, while 100% of teachers trust the principal and their colleagues. Parent satisfaction sits at 92%, slightly below the district average of 94% but still high. Teacher instruction quality scores 86%, which trails the district average of 90% — this is notable and worth watching. Attendance is solid at 92.2% (above district average), but chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 70.4%, with Hispanic students and females showing slightly higher rates. The family survey response rate was only 11% (87 responses), and teacher survey responses were just 8 — these low response rates mean the trust numbers, while impressive, come from a small base. There was no suspension rate data provided for this school.

The student body is 89% Hispanic, reflecting the neighborhood's demographics, with 7% Black, 1% white, and 1% multi-racial students. Nearly a quarter of students (24%) have IEPs, and the economic need index is very high at 83.9%. Total enrollment is 827 across grades K-8, with an average class size of 21.9 — identical to the district average. The diversity index is low at 23%, which is expected given the homogeneous neighborhood population. This is a school that serves its community's demographic closely.

Washington Heights is a transit-rich, family-dense neighborhood in upper Manhattan with very low homeownership (only 8% of households own). The median household income is $55,786 with a 22% poverty rate, and only 34% of residents have a BA+ education. The area scores extremely high on transit (96.55) and family density (85.06), making it car-free friendly. Safety indicators show elevated crime density and collision rates, with environmental health concerns including elevated lead rates (18%) and high asthma emergency department rates (155 per 100,000). These are things families should factor into their decision. Education orientation scores moderate at 52.49, suggesting this isn't a hyper-education-focused neighborhood but one where schools like KIPP stand out.

Given the high transit score and low car ownership in the area, most families likely walk or take public transit. The school is in a dense urban setting where walking is common.