P.S./I.S. 218 Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School

Test scores here are below the District 9 average — 37.8% in ELA and 37.1% in math versus the district averages of 44.8% and 44.7% respectively. The school showed improvement between 2016 and 2019, with math climbing from 25.8% to 35.5%, but performance has fluctuated since then and remains inconsistent. Grade-level data reveals a notable split: middle school grades (6-8) perform noticeably stronger than elementary grades, with Grade 6 hitting 53.3% ELA proficiency while Grade 4 sits at just 21.4%. Overall, students here are catching up rather than leading the pack.

The survey data tells a nuanced story. Parents absolutely love this school — satisfaction at 96% and trust metrics at 97% for both teachers and principal are exceptional. Teachers report feeling safe (85%) and the school has achieved zero suspensions for three straight years, a remarkable achievement. However, only 71% of teachers rate instruction quality highly, and teacher-principal trust sits at 74% — both below district norms. Attendance is slightly above district average at 91.2%, but chronic absenteeism is a serious issue affecting nearly two-thirds of students. The day-to-day feel seems to be one where families feel heard and valued, but the instructional program may be struggling to meet teacher expectations.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (91%) with small Black (4%), Asian (2%), and White (1%) populations — reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. Nearly 95% of students qualify for free lunch, indicating deep economic need. About 18% receive special education services. The diversity index is low at 20%, meaning the student population is quite homogeneous. This is a school serving a high-need community where the vast majority of families are working-class.

The Concourse-Concourse Village area in the Bronx is a densely populated urban neighborhood with significant challenges. Median household income is just over $40,000, and 34% of residents live below the poverty line. Only 15.8% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. The neighborhood scores very low on safety (2.68 out of 100) and education orientation (32.18), but high on family density (77.39) and stability (72.41). Transit access is decent (66.67), making commutes manageable. Environmental health indicators show concerns, including elevated lead rates and high asthma-related emergency department visits.

Families arrive primarily via public transit — the area is well-served by subway and bus lines — or by walking through a dense urban grid. Street parking is limited.