Passages Academy

Academic proficiency data is not available for this school, making it difficult to directly compare performance against the district averages of 51% in ELA and 49% in Math. Parents should note that without test score data, evaluating academic rigor quantitatively is not possible — this is a gap worth asking the school about directly.

The school reports zero suspensions, which stands out favorably against the district average of 0.84% — a meaningful indicator that disciplinary approaches may be more restorative than punitive. Teacher instruction quality averages 88.4% district-wide, and teacher-reported safety is 80.5%. Parent satisfaction in the district is high at 93.5%, but that figure is a district average, not specific to this school. The 52% IEP population is notably high, suggesting strong special education services — a potential strength for families whose children have individualized education plans.

The student body is 69% Black, 27% Hispanic, 2% white, 1% Asian, and 1% multi-racial — reflecting the demographics of Melrose, a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood with deep economic challenges. The diversity index of 42% is moderate. Nearly all students (94.7%) come from economically disadvantaged households, and over half have IEPs, indicating this school serves a high-need population with significant support requirements.

Melrose is one of the highest-need neighborhoods in New York City, with a median household income of just $30,236 and a 38.1% poverty rate. Only 14% of residents have a bachelor's degree, and just 10% own homes. The neighborhood scores very low on family density (37.93 percentile) and stability (27.2), meaning many families are transient. On the positive side, transit access is excellent (77.78 percentile), making commutes easier. Safety concerns are significant — the area has high crime density and elevated rates of childhood lead exposure (15.2%) and asthma-related ER visits (75.5 per 1,000). These environmental health factors are worth considering for families with young children or health sensitivities.

The neighborhood has excellent transit access, making it practical for families who rely on public transportation. Walkability around the school itself is moderate — the area is urban and densely built, with typical Bronx street-grid conditions.