Leaders of Excellence, Advocacy and Discovery

These test scores are genuinely extraordinary for an unscreened school in the South Bronx. LEAD's 2025 ELA proficiency of 98.9% and math at 94.4% dwarf District 7's already low averages (51% ELA, 49% math). But parents should know the history: scores have yo-yoed dramatically — ELA dropped from 100% in 2016 to 74.5% in 2022, math from 97.6% in 2016 to 54.2% in 2022. The current peak may reflect a specific cohort or instructional focus, not necessarily a new permanent plateau. Grade-level data shows 100% ELA in grades 3-5, with math slightly lower in Grade 5 (88.5%). The 3.87 overall score (out of 4) is nearly double the district average of 2.0.

The climate data reveals a genuinely connected school community, though with one concerning gap. Parent satisfaction sits at 97%, and teachers report 100% trust in leadership and 100% collegial trust — these are exceptional numbers that indicate strong relationships and stable management. Instruction quality ratings from teachers are 96%. However, teacher-reported safety is only 71%, notably below both the district average (80.5%) and what you'd expect given the zero suspension rate. This could reflect teacher perception of the neighborhood or other environmental factors rather than actual incidents. The attendance rate of 97.6% is excellent. Note: There's an unusual discrepancy with chronic absenteeism reported at 92.9% alongside a 97.6% attendance rate — this may warrant clarification from the school.

This is a predominantly Hispanic (70%) and Black (27%) school community, reflecting the demographics of Melrose. With 21% IEP students and an economic need index of 83.4% — meaning nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch — this is a school serving families facing significant financial challenges. The diversity index of 41% is moderate. The class size of 20.5 students matches the district average exactly, so there's no particular class-size advantage here. PTA fundraising is minimal at $800 total ($3 per student), well below the district average of $9.62 per student, suggesting limited extra fundraising capacity.

Melrose is one of the South Bronx's most economically challenged neighborhoods, with a median household income of just $30,236 and a 38% poverty rate. Only 13.9% of residents have a bachelor's degree, and homeownership is extremely low at 10%. The neighborhood scores very poorly on safety (1.92 percentile) and stability (27.2), though transit access is strong (77.78 percentile). Environmental health concerns are notable — asthma emergency department rates are high (75.5 per 1,000), and lead exposure rates (15.2%) are elevated. There are parks and family resources in the broader area, but parents should understand this is a neighborhood where economic hardship and safety concerns are part of daily life.

Melrose is generally walkable with good transit access (77.78 percentile), but parents should factor in neighborhood safety considerations when planning routes to and from school, particularly for younger children walking alone.