Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies

Test scores are not publicly reported for this school, but the academic program is anchored by AP coursework, STEM offerings including robotics and coding, and a rich slate of world languages including ELL support. Class sizes average 20.8 students, matching the District 9 average exactly, giving teachers room to know students individually. The lack of published proficiency data means parents won't have the usual standardized benchmark to measure progress against — something to ask about during enrollment events.

The survey results tell a compelling story: this is a school where families feel heard and teachers feel supported. Parent satisfaction (96%) and trust in both teachers and principal (both 97%) exceed district averages, and teacher instruction quality ratings (94%) are notably higher than the district average of 90%. Teacher-principal trust sits at 91%, with collegial trust at 87% — healthy numbers that suggest stable leadership. Perhaps most notably, there were zero suspensions last year, compared to a district average where some schools see suspension rates above 1%. With a 64% family survey response rate, these aren't outlier opinions — they're representative.

Morris Academy reflects its neighborhood: 74% Hispanic and 23% Black students in a community where the poverty rate tops 34% and only 15% of adults have bachelor's degrees. Nearly all students (92.4%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 28% have IEPs — a higher-than-average special education population. With a diversity index of 39%, the student body is less demographically varied than some Bronx schools but fairly represents the local community. This is not a school pulling from across the borough — it's deeply rooted in Morrisania.

Morrisania is a high-poverty, high-density Bronx neighborhood with serious challenges. The safety score (3.07 out of 100) is among the lowest in the city, and environmental health indicators show elevated lead rates (15.1%) and high asthma emergency department visits (75.5 per 1,000). On the upside, transit access is strong (72nd percentile) and the neighborhood scores high on family density (88th percentile), meaning lots of kids live here even if household income is low. The area is predominantly rental (only 9% homeownership), reflecting a transient, working-class population. Families should know the neighborhood context — this is a community that needs its school to be a safe, stable anchor.

The school is accessible via multiple bus lines and is walkable from nearby blocks, though many students commute from across District 9. Families in the immediate Morrisania area can walk, but those coming from farther afield will rely on public transit or the school bus.