Mott Hall III

Mott Hall III's ELA proficiency at 47.5% runs slightly above the District 9 average of 44.8%, while math at 42.1% trails the district average of 44.7%. The school shows a distinctive pattern: sixth-grade scores start low (33.7% ELA, 31.4% math) but grow substantially by eighth grade (59.6% ELA, 50% math), suggesting strong academic momentum as students move through the grades. However, the historical trend is concerning — the school peaked in 2018-2019 with 63.5% ELA and 51.7% math, then dropped sharply during the pandemic and has only partially recovered.

This is where Mott Hall III genuinely shines. Parents report 92% satisfaction and 92% trust in both teachers and the principal — numbers that signal a school where families feel heard and valued. Teachers rate instruction quality at 90% and collegial trust at an exceptional 93%. The catch is attendance: only 87.8% (below the 90.1% district average) with a troubling 52% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning roughly half of students miss significant school time. Discipline shows a recent uptick — from 1 suspension per year in 2021-23 to 5 in 2023-24 — though the 2% rate remains modest. The day-to-day feel is clearly relational and supportive, but chronic absenteeism is a real challenge the school is working to address.

The school population of 325 students is predominantly Hispanic (62%) and Black (35%), reflecting the demographics of surrounding Morrisania. With 93% economic need index and 27% students receiving special education services, this is a high-need population. Class sizes average 20.8 students, right at the district average. The diversity index of 44% is moderate — the community is fairly homogeneous, which can mean strong cultural cohesion but less exposure to diverse perspectives.

Morrisania is a densely populated Bronx neighborhood with excellent transit access (72nd percentile) and high family density (88th percentile). However, it faces significant challenges: a median household income of just $33,049, 34.7% poverty rate, and low homeownership at 8.9%. The area scores low on safety (3rd percentile) and education orientation (27th percentile), indicating families here are navigating real socioeconomic stressors. The neighborhood is adjacent to Crotona Park, offering green space, and the school sits near major transit lines serving the Bronx. Families should know the neighborhood has high rates of asthma and lead exposure concerns.

The school is accessible via multiple Bronx bus routes and is located near the 2/5 subway lines. Families from across the Bronx apply through screened admissions, so commutes vary — some walk, others take longer bus or subway rides.