Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning

ELA proficiency at 63.4% sits slightly above the district average of 61.3%, while math at 59.3% runs just below the district's 61.0%. The school shows a clear pattern of academic growth as students move up: 6th graders start at 52.6% ELA and 45.9% math, but by 8th grade they're performing at 71.2% and 69.2% respectively — a testament to the school's ability to build skills over three years. Science scores are notably stronger at 67.8%. However, both subjects dipped in 2025 after peaking in 2024 (ELA at 67.9%, math at 67.5%), suggesting some instability in recent performance.

The school's climate tells a complicated story. Parents report extremely high trust in teachers (96%) and the principal (97%), and 91% say they're satisfied with the school. Teachers rate instruction quality at 90% and collegial trust among themselves at 82%. However, teacher-principal trust is strikingly low at 42% — a red flag that suggests leadership challenges or communication gaps that affect staff morale. Attendance mirrors the district average at 91.5%, but chronic absenteeism is high at 70.6%, with rates varying significantly by group: white students miss the most (76%) while Black students have the lowest rate (54.9%). Discipline is exemplary with a 0% suspension rate, though this has come with just 2 suspensions in 2023-24.

With 448 students across three grades, Marsh Avenue is a mid-sized middle school. The student body is majority white (45%) with a substantial Hispanic population (32%) and smaller Asian (16%), Black (5%), and multiracial (2%) groups. This diversity index of 70% reflects a moderately diverse population. About 22% of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support. The economic need index of 44.8% suggests a working-to-middle-class population, though the neighborhood around the school is notably more affluent with a median household income of $98,222 and only 10.5% poverty.

The New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis neighborhood on Staten Island is a family-oriented, suburban area with high homeownership (76.2%) and a median home value of $641,336. Safety scores are strong at 85th percentile, and the area scores nearly perfect on health environment (99.23). However, transit access is very limited (18th percentile), meaning most families will need a car. The education orientation score of 65.13 indicates a community that values schools, and the stability score of 86.59 suggests a neighborhood where families put down roots.

Given the very low transit score (18.39), most families drive or get dropped off. The area is car-dependent, and parents should expect to provide transportation — the school sits in a residential neighborhood where walking or biking is possible but not the norm.