Mott Haven Charter School

Test scores here are a story of resilience. After plummeting during the pandemic — math dropped to just 25.7% in 2022 — the school has surged past pre-COVID levels in both subjects. Math at 57.1% and ELA at 54.4% both beat the District 7 averages (51.3% and 49%), which is meaningful in a district where charter schools tend to dominate the rankings. Grade-level data shows particular strength in upper elementary (Grade 5 ELA hits 74.4%, Grade 7 math hits 77.8%) but more inconsistency in middle school, where Grade 8 math dips to 24.4%.

The survey data tells a striking story: parents love this school. Ninety-six percent report satisfaction, 98% trust the teachers, and every single family surveyed reported strong relationships — a rare finding. Teachers are equally positive, with 96% rating instruction quality as strong and 88% trusting the principal. Teacher-reported safety sits at 81%, slightly above the district average. However, chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 55% — meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time. This suggests the school’s warm culture hasn’t fully translated into getting kids through the door consistently.

The student body mirrors its neighborhood: 71% Hispanic, 25% Black, with very small Asian and white populations. Nearly a quarter of students (23%) have IEPs, which is notable. The diversity index sits at 43% — relatively homogeneous by design, reflecting the school’s focus on serving the immediate community. This is a neighborhood school in the truest sense, serving families who have lived in the South Bronx for generations.

Mott Haven-Port Morris is one of the city’s highest-poverty neighborhoods, with a median household income under $30,000 and only 6% homeownership. The area scores very low on safety (16th percentile) and family density (24th percentile), though it has decent transit access. Environmental concerns are real: high crime density, elevated lead rates, and very high asthma emergency department rates (75.5 per 1,000). The neighborhood has seen investment in recent years, but families should understand the context — this is a community navigating significant challenges.

The school is in a pedestrian-heavy neighborhood where many families walk or take public transit. The area has subway access via the 6 train and several bus routes, but parents should factor in the neighborhood’s safety scores when planning commutes.