New Design Middle School

Test scores at this school are significantly below the District 5 average — the 28.6% ELA proficiency and 7.4% math proficiency compare to district averages of roughly 54% and 51% respectively. The historical trend shows volatility rather than steady improvement: ELA peaked at 28.8% in 2023, dropped to 15.4% in 2024, then rebounded to 28.6% in 2025, while math has hovered between 1% and 14% over the past decade. Grade 6 shows the strongest ELA performance at 35.3%, suggesting some early success, but math across all grades remains in single digits. The school overall score of 0.72 out of 4 places it well below the district average of 2.09.

Here's where the story gets interesting. Despite the academic struggles, the school has achieved something rare: near-universal trust between families and staff. Parent satisfaction sits at 88%, parent-teacher trust at 97%, and parent-principal trust at an exceptional 97%. Teachers report 90% instruction quality and 93% trust in leadership. The discipline data is striking — suspensions have dropped from 8 in 2021-22 to zero in 2023-24, a complete reversal that suggests intentional investment in restorative practices. However, the attendance picture is concerning: an 82.7% attendance rate (versus 88.6% district average) and 38.5% chronic absenteeism, with Hispanic students missing school at 41.4% and males at 44.6%. The day-to-day feel seems to be one of strong relational warmth, but families struggle to get students through the door consistently.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographics: 51% Black and 43% Hispanic, with tiny Asian (1%) and white (4%) populations. Nearly half the school (52%) has Individualized Education Programs, and 86.2% qualify for economic need support — among the highest in the district. With only 100 students total and an average class size of 18.7, this is an intimate community where every student is known. The diversity index of 52% indicates moderate demographic variety. The neighborhood itself is predominantly working-class, with only 8.6% of households having children, low homeownership at 5%, and a median household income of $44,556.

Manhattanville-West Harlem is a transit-rich, family-dense area where generations of Black and Hispanic families have put down roots. The neighborhood scores very high on transit access (90.8 percentile) but very low on safety (11.11 percentile) and health environment (6.13 percentile), with elevated asthma rates and lead exposure concerns. The median home value of $544,521 reflects ongoing gentrification pressures, but only 5% of residents own homes. Family density is moderate at 44.44 percentile, and the education orientation score of 47.89 suggests this is a community that values schooling but faces significant resource challenges. Families should know the area has strong cultural roots and community networks, but also faces the systemic challenges that come with economic inequality.

Excellent — the school is located on West 127th Street with major subway access nearby (the 2/3 and A/B/C lines serve the area), and the neighborhood is highly walkable. Many families can reach the school without cars.