M.S. 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz

Test scores at M.S. 302 have improved substantially over the past nine years — ELA went from 18% to 41%, and math from 12% to 36%. However, both subjects still fall below the District 8 averages (ELA 46%, math 48%). The school scores 1.54 out of 4 overall, compared to the district's 1.88. Grade-level data reveals an interesting pattern: 7th graders perform strongest (47.6% ELA, 50% math), while 8th graders struggle more in math (18.8%). This suggests the school may be having more success building foundational skills in the middle grades than maintaining momentum through the final year before high school.

This is where the school truly shines. Parent satisfaction sits at 98%, parent-teacher trust at 100%, and parent-principal trust at 99% — remarkable numbers that indicate families feel heard and respected. Teachers also report high trust in leadership (98%) and rate instruction quality at 97%. The school has nearly eliminated suspensions (just 1 in 2023-24, down from 5 the prior year), and chronic absenteeism at 67.4% is high but not unusual for the neighborhood. With an 81% family survey response rate, these aren't outlier opinions — this is broad community buy-in. The day-to-day feel seems to be one of strong relationships and low conflict.

The student body is 81% Hispanic and 18% Black, closely mirroring the Longwood neighborhood demographics. Nearly all students (93.7%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 36% have IEPs — a notably high proportion. The school offers ELL support, which is essential given the predominantly Hispanic population. At 392 students across three grades, class sizes average 22.6, right on par with the district average. This is a small, neighborhood-based school where most students live within walking distance and know each other's families.

Longwood is a working-class Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges: high poverty (33.2%), low homeownership (12.7%), and a median household income of $36,558. The area scores very low on safety (4.21 out of 100) and education orientation (20.69), but very high on transit access (93.49) and family density (83.14). Environmental health concerns exist — lead exposure rates and asthma-related emergency visits are elevated. The neighborhood is dense, transit-friendly, and family-oriented, though parents should be aware of the safety context.

Given the high family density (83.14) and low car ownership in the neighborhood, most students walk or take public transit. The area is highly walkable, and the zoned admissions means most families live close by.