Manhattan Charter School

Test scores at Manhattan Charter School sit below the District 1 averages—ELA at 48.5% versus 51.7% districtwide, and math at 41.9% versus 47.4%. However, the historical trend tells a more complicated story: the school peaked in 2017-2018 (ELA hit 57.7%, math reached 52.7%), then dropped sharply during the pandemic (math cratered to 28.2% in 2022), and has been climbing back since. The most recent year shows the highest ELA scores since 2019 and the strongest math performance since 2018. Grade-level data reveals a particular strength in 4th grade (64% ELA, 60.7% math) while 3rd and 5th grade scores lag significantly—suggesting some grade-level cohorts are performing better than others.

The climate data reveals a tension between strong internal trust and stubborn attendance challenges. Teachers report extremely high trust in leadership (92%), and parents rate principal trust at 82%—both suggesting a school where staff feel supported and families have a decent relationship with administration. Teacher instruction quality scores 73%, which is solid but below the district average of 87%, indicating room for growth in classroom practice. However, attendance is a real concern: the school sits at 79% versus 88.9% district average, with chronic absenteeism at 17.6%. Boys miss more school than girls (20.9% vs 14.6% chronic absence), and the family survey response rate was just 6%—so while those who responded show decent satisfaction (79%), the sample is too small to represent the full community confidently.

This is a high-need community: 90.9% economic need index, 63% Hispanic and 26% Black students, with 26% receiving special education services. The diversity index sits at 55%, reflecting a fairly homogeneous student body compared to the broader city. The neighborhood around the school is working-class and family-dense—the Lower East Side has a 23% poverty rate but scores 89th percentile for education orientation, suggesting families here value schooling even when resources are tight. Only 23% of residents own homes, so most families are renters navigating the neighborhood's high cost of living ($833,000 median home price).

The Lower East Side offers exceptional transit access (88th percentile) and sits in a neighborhood where families clearly prioritize education (89th percentile orientation score). However, safety scores are concerning at only 16th percentile, with elevated crime density and asthma rates (155 per 10,000 for emergency department visits). The area has limited green space—parks score low—and the health environment ranks in the bottom 11th percentile. For families, this means a highly walkable, transit-connected neighborhood with strong community resources, but one where air quality and street safety warrant attention.

Excellent—nearly everything families need is within walking distance, and the neighborhood's transit score in the 89th percentile means getting around without a car is easy. However, the area's safety scores suggest parents should be mindful of streets and timing, especially with younger children