Mott Hall Charter School

Mott Hall has pulled off something unusual — a charter school in a high-need neighborhood that now outperforms the District 9 average in both ELA (47.2% vs. 44.8%) and math (50.9% vs. 44.7%). The trajectory is striking: ELA climbed from 16.7% in 2016 to 47.2% in 2025, while math went from 16.6% to 50.9%. These aren't gradual improvements — they're a reversal. Grade-level data shows strength across all three grades, with 8th grade ELA leading at 51.9% and 7th grade math at 60%. The school earns a 1.96 overall score, slightly above the district average of 1.79.

The survey data tells a remarkable story of trust. Parents give near-perfect scores: 96% satisfaction, 96% trust in teachers, 99% trust in the principal. Teachers are equally positive — 99% rate instruction quality highly, and 92% trust both their colleagues and the principal. This level of alignment is rare, especially in a school with significant attendance struggles. The chronic absenteeism rate of 52.7% cuts across all demographic groups (56.5% for Black students, 50.9% for Hispanic students), suggesting systemic challenges rather than specific populations. The 87.8% attendance rate is below the district average of 90.1%. Families who are engaged show deep loyalty; the challenge is consistent engagement.

Mott Hall's 216 students are predominantly Black (45%) and Hispanic (51%), reflecting the Morrisania neighborhood's demographics. Nearly all students (92.8%) come from economically disadvantaged households, and 19% have IEPs — a meaningful population requiring targeted support. The diversity index sits at 48%, typical for this part of the Bronx. The school's small size (average class size of 20.8) means every student is known, which likely contributes to the strong trust relationships reflected in surveys.

Morrisania is a high-density, transit-accessible Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges. The median household income is just $33,049, and only 8.9% of residents own homes. The poverty rate stands at 34.7%, with only 14.9% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. On the positive side, the area scores highly on family density (88th percentile) and transit access (72nd percentile), meaning it's easy to get around without a car. The safety score (3.07) is notably low, and the education orientation score (26.82) suggests fewer enrichment resources than in other parts of the city. Lead exposure rates (15.1%) and asthma rates (75.5 per 1,000) indicate environmental health concerns common in older Bronx neighborhoods.

The school is accessible by public transit — the area's 72nd percentile transit score reflects strong bus and subway connectivity. Families without cars can reach the school, though the neighborhood's low safety score means parents may prefer to walk younger students or arrange carpools.