P.S. X037 - Multiple Intelligence School

The school now matches the district average in ELA (45.4% vs 45.0%) and sits just below it in math (40.4% vs 43.5%), a significant achievement given where this school started — ELA was only 25.4% in 2016. Math has also improved substantially, from 31.5% to 40.4%. The 2024-2025 year showed particularly strong gains, with ELA jumping 13.8 percentage points and math gaining 5.2 points. Grade-level data shows stronger performance in upper elementary (Grades 5-6 hitting 51-53% in ELA) with some slippage in Grade 8 math (21.7%). Science proficiency at 17.8% is notably below expectations for a K-8 school.

Parents love this school — satisfaction, trust in teachers, and trust in the principal all hover around 96-97%, which is exceptional. Teachers report high instruction quality (94%) and strong safety perceptions (95%). However, there's a notable gap between parent and teacher trust in leadership (teacher-principal trust at 73%, teacher collegial trust at 74%), suggesting some staff frustration with administration. The attendance picture is concerning: 86.7% attendance and 46.2% chronic absenteeism (nearly half the student body) are well below district averages. Suspensions are nearly nonexistent (0%), indicating a restorative approach to discipline. The disconnect between high parent satisfaction and poor attendance patterns suggests families value the school but face barriers to getting kids there consistently.

This is a predominantly Hispanic school (78%) with significant Black enrollment (18%) in a neighborhood that is majority White (based on the high homeownership and median income). The economic need index is very high at 88.6%, meaning nearly 9 in 10 students qualify for free or reduced lunch. About 28% of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support — that's the only special program listed, giving it a program richness score of just 19.3. The diversity index is 39%, reflecting the relatively homogeneous racial makeup despite the school being in a diverse borough.

Riverdale-Spuyten Duyvil is a stable, family-oriented neighborhood in the northwest Bronx characterized by detached homes, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of community. Education orientation scores very high (87 out of 100), reflecting the neighborhood's emphasis on schools. Safety scores moderate at 65, and the area has lower crime density than many parts of the Bronx. Transit access is limited (score of 23), so families are likely driving or taking buses. The neighborhood's high homeownership rate (58%) and low poverty (7.4%) contrast sharply with the school's student population, which comes from much higher-need backgrounds.

The area is residential and walkable, but given the limited transit score (23), most families likely drive or rely on school buses — the lack of nearby subway access is a practical consideration for working parents