Pelham Academy of Academics and Community Engagement

ELA proficiency at 52% and math at 46.4% both fall below the district averages of 56.7% and 55.6%, placing this school in the lower half of District 11. However, the long-term trend is encouraging: ELA has more than doubled from 30% in 2016, and math has similarly climbed from 22.8%. The catch is that progress hasn't been steady — scores dipped in 2022 and 2023 before rebounding. Grade-level data reveals a striking gap: 7th graders are outperforming with 62% ELA and 79% math, while 8th graders show strong ELA (59.5%) but a startlingly low 19.7% math. This inconsistency suggests the school may struggle with curriculum continuity or student transitions between grades. The overall quality score of 1.97/4 trails the district average of 2.25, reflecting the ongoing work ahead.

Here's where the data tells a surprisingly positive story. Parent satisfaction sits at 93%, with near-universal trust in both teachers (97%) and the principal (96%). Teachers themselves give their instruction quality a perfect 100%, and they report strong collegial trust (92%) and solid trust in leadership (89%). Attendance at 92% matches the district average. But there's a significant red flag: chronic absenteeism is a staggering 70.8%, meaning more than two-thirds of students are missing too much school. This hits Black students hardest (81% chronic absence) compared to White students (61.5%). Discipline is essentially a non-issue — just one suspension in the 2023-24 year, following two years of zero suspensions. The day-to-day feel seems to be one of strong relationships and trust, but the school is battling serious attendance challenges that likely affect academic outcomes.

With 278 students, this is a small school where everyone knows each other. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (62%), with significant Black (16%) and White (13%) populations, plus 9% Asian. This mirrors the Allerton neighborhood's demographics. Notably, 21% of students have IEPs — higher than typical — and the school offers ELL support, indicating it's equipped for multilingual learners. The economic need index of 84.6% confirms this is a high-need community: nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The diversity index of 62% reflects a racially and ethnically mixed student body. What stands out is that despite these challenges, families are deeply engaged: the family survey response rate was an extraordinary 95%, with 260 responses — rare for a school this size.

Allerton is a working-class Bronx neighborhood in District 11 with a family density score of 72.8 (high), meaning lots of kids in the area. Median household income is $46,623, and only 15.9% of residents own homes — most are renters. The poverty rate sits at 24.7%, and just 20.6% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. Transit access is moderate (55.94), but the safety score is notably low at 11.88, meaning crime density is a real concern for families. There's also an environmental health note: lead elevated rate is 15.2% and asthma emergency department visits are high at 75.5 per 1,000. The neighborhood scores high on stability (83.91), suggesting many long-term residents. Families here are making it work on tight budgets, and the school is very much embedded in that reality.

Allerton is a residential neighborhood where many families walk or use short bus rides. However, the low safety score means parents may be more cautious about walking alone, particularly after dark. The school is accessible via local bus routes and is walkable from surrounding blocks.