Pharos Academy Charter School

The numbers are striking: 78.5% ELA proficiency and 83.5% math proficiency — both roughly double the District 12 averages (44.6% and 43.3% respectively). Looking at the grade-by-grade breakdown, performance is strong across all tested grades, with Grade 7 leading at 91.3% ELA and Grade 4 hitting 88.5% in math. The historical trajectory tells an even more compelling story — in 2016, only 28% of students were proficient in ELA and 21% in math. Over nine years, those numbers nearly tripled and quadrupled, suggesting sustained instructional improvement rather than a one-year spike. The school earns a 3.24 overall score, well above the district average of 1.76.

The survey data paints a picture of a school where families feel genuinely valued and teachers report high professional satisfaction. Parent satisfaction sits at 96%, with matching scores for parent trust in teachers and the principal. Teachers give similarly high marks: 95% say instruction quality is strong, and 91% report feeling safe. That said, there's a modest gap between parent and teacher trust in leadership (teacher-principal trust is 88% versus 96% for parents), and teacher collegial trust sits at 82% — still positive but the lowest of the trust metrics. The chronic absenteeism rate of 88% is a real concern and suggests some families struggle with consistent attendance despite the school's academic strengths.

The student body is 66% Hispanic and 30% Black, reflecting the demographics of Longwood itself. With an economic need index of 86.4% and 18% of students receiving special education services, this is a high-need population that many schools struggle to serve well. Yet the academic outcomes are exceptional. The diversity index of 43% is moderate, and at 705 students across K-12, the school maintains a manageable size with an average class size of 21.9 — essentially identical to the district average.

Longwood is a working-class Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges but also real strengths. The median household income is just $36,558, and only 12.7% of residents own their homes. Transit access is excellent (in the 93rd percentile), making commutes manageable even from farther-flung areas. Safety scores are low (4.21), which is a reality for families here. The family density score is high (83%), meaning lots of kids in the area, though the education orientation score (21%) suggests this isn't a neighborhood where most parents have college degrees. There are parks and community resources, but families should expect the typical tradeoffs of a high-poverty urban neighborhood.

The area is highly walkable with good transit connections, though families from farther afield benefit from the strong bus and subway access. The neighborhood's low safety score means younger children may need accompaniment.