Renaissance School of the Arts

Test scores at Renaissance School of the Arts sit below the district average — 40% ELA proficiency versus 49.8% district-wide, and 27.1% math versus 45.2% district-wide. However, looking at the trend since 2016, the school has more than doubled both scores (ELA from 16.7% to 40%, math from 6.3% to 27.1%), with a notable jump in 2025. Grade-level data shows Grade 7 performing significantly stronger (57.5% ELA, 47.5% math) than Grade 6 or 8, suggesting strong cohort teaching or grade-level programming that younger and older grades haven't accessed yet.

This is where the school truly shines in the data. Parent satisfaction sits at 97%, parent-teacher trust at 99%, and parent-principal trust at a perfect 100%. Teachers report 100% instruction quality and 94% trust in the principal. The discipline record is particularly striking: zero suspensions in 2023-24, down from 4 in 2021-22 and 2 in 2022-23. This tells a story of a school where relationships are strong, expectations are clear, and behavior is managed without exclusion.

With 183 students across three grades, this is a small school where most students are Black (44%) or Hispanic (52%). The economic need index of 93.2% indicates nearly all families face significant financial challenges, reflecting the broader East Harlem neighborhood where median household income is $36,709 and poverty affects a third of residents. The diversity index of 50% is moderate, with the student body mirroring the neighborhood's predominantly Black and Hispanic population.

East Harlem (North) is a densely populated, family-oriented neighborhood with strong education focus (72.8 education orientation score) but significant safety concerns (safety score only 9.58). Transit access is excellent (82.76), making commutes manageable, but environmental health indicators show elevated lead rates (7.9%) and high asthma emergency department rates (155 per 10,000). The neighborhood has extremely low homeownership (8%) and most families rent, consistent with the high economic need seen in the school.

The school is accessible by subway and bus given the strong transit score. Families in the immediate East Harlem area can walk, though safety concerns in the neighborhood mean many parents accompany younger children.