New Directions Secondary School

Test scores here are significantly below district and city averages — 5.4% ELA proficiency and 1.8% math proficiency compared to district averages around 45%. No students demonstrated science proficiency on the most recent assessments. However, there is a modest upward trend: ELA proficiency has climbed from 1.8% in 2016 to 5.4% in 2019, and math from 0% to 1.8% over the same period. This suggests the school is slowly improving but remains far from meeting grade-level expectations. Teacher instruction quality scores (79%) also fall below the district average of 90%, indicating that instructional challenges persist.

The survey data reveals a striking disconnect between family trust and academic outcomes. Parents report near-universal satisfaction (99%) and 100% trust in both teachers and the principal — extraordinary scores that suggest strong relationship-building. Teachers also report high collegial trust (95%) and strong trust in leadership (88%). However, daily attendance is a serious concern at just 63.2%, well below the district average of 90%, with 16.2% of students chronically absent. There were zero suspensions last year, which could indicate either strong behavior management or under-reporting. The combination of high trust but low attendance suggests families believe in the school community but struggle with getting students through the door consistently.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (61%) and Black (34%), reflecting the demographics of the surrounding Mount Eden-Claremont neighborhood. With a diversity index of 49%, the school is fairly homogeneous in terms of race but serves a community with significant socioeconomic diversity. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, indicating substantial special education support needs. The school is very small with only 139 students total, which means class sizes are manageable (averaging 20.8 students) but extracurricular communities are tight-knit.

Mount Eden-Claremont (West) is a densely populated, family-oriented Bronx neighborhood with significant economic challenges. Median household income is $45,405, and 32% of residents live below the poverty line. Only 4.4% of residents own homes, meaning most families rent. The neighborhood scores very high on family density (95th percentile) and transit access (84th percentile), making it accessible for families without cars. However, education orientation is low (25th percentile), suggesting fewer college-going cultural norms in the area. Safety scores (77 out of 100) indicate moderate concerns, with elevated asthma rates and lead exposure risks noted in environmental indicators.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong transit access (83.52 score), and the high family density means many students live within walking distance. Families relying on public transportation will find this location accessible via several bus routes.