M.S. 180 Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

Test scores at M.S. 180 hover below district averages — 44.2% ELA proficiency versus the district's 56.7%, and 34.5% math versus 55.6%. The school earned an overall quality score of 1.57 out of 4, well below the district average of 2.25. Looking at the trend, scores peaked in 2018 at 56.8% ELA and have seesawed since, with a notable math jump to 48.9% in 2023 that didn't hold. Grade-level data shows 8th graders outperforming 6th graders in ELA (53.9% vs 41.1%), which may reflect the benefits of additional time in the school's academic environment — or suggest that the earlier grades need more support.

The school's climate data reveals a split picture. Parents report strong trust in teachers (92%) and the principal (93%), and 90% rate instruction quality as good — nearly matching district averages. Teacher trust in leadership is lower at 77%, and only 79% report collegial trust among staff. Attendance is a concern: while the 90.6% attendance rate is close to district average, chronic absenteeism sits at a steep 64.2%, with male students (68.5%) and Black students (67.4%) disproportionately affected. On the positive side, discipline has improved significantly — suspensions dropped from 11 in 2021-22 to just 3 in 2023-24, yielding a 0% suspension rate. The school is clearly safer and more restoratively focused than it was a few years ago, though the chronic absenteeism numbers suggest some families or students are struggling to engage consistently.

With 846 students, M.S. 180 is a mid-sized middle school that's overwhelmingly Black (68%) and Hispanic (25%), reflecting the demographics of Co-op City. The economic need index of 65.8% shows a high-poverty population, and 21% of students have IEPs. The diversity index of 50% is moderate. What stands out is the program's richness score of 100/100 — this school offers an extraordinary range of activities, from band and orchestra to debate team and specialized high school test prep. That said, PTA fundraising was only $850 total (about $1 per student), far below the district average of $23.69 per student, which may limit some enrichment opportunities that require parent funding.

Co-op City is a large, planned community in the northeast Bronx known for its relatively affordable housing stock and family-oriented atmosphere. The neighborhood scores modestly on education orientation (27.59 percentile) and family density (30.65 percentile), but rates higher on stability (70.5 percentile). Safety scores are moderate at 59.39, and transit access is decent at 61.69. The median household income of $58,565 and 10.9% poverty rate suggest a working-class community. For families, there are recreation options nearby, though the area is more residential than commercial. The school sits in this context — families here are typically looking for affordability and community roots over urban conveniences.

Co-op City is a sprawling residential area, and students often arrive by school bus or car. Walkability depends on where families live within the development, but many students travel from across the neighborhood.