School in the Square Public Charter School

The academic trajectory here is remarkable: in 2017, only 17% of students were proficient in ELA and 16% in math; by 2025, those numbers jumped to 54% and 46% respectively. Today, the school's ELA proficiency (53.8%) exceeds the district average of 47%, though math (46%) still trails the district average of 52%. The 2/4 overall score reflects this mixed picture — strong growth but not yet meeting state standards across all subjects. Fourth graders are the standout performers, with 71% proficiency in ELA and 69% in math, while younger students in grade 3 show more ground to make up.

The survey data paints a school where relationships are genuinely strong — 98% of families report strong relationships, and both parent-teacher and parent-principal trust score at 95%. Teachers report feeling safe (95%) and have solid collegial trust (81%), though teacher-principal trust sits a bit lower at 80%. The area where the school struggles most is attendance: at 89.5%, it's below the district average, and a striking 61% of students are chronically absent. This isn't unusual for the district but remains a challenge, particularly given that chronic absenteeism is higher among male students (64%) than females (59%).

This is a school that reflects its neighborhood: 86% of students are Hispanic, mirroring the demographics of Washington Heights. With 79% of students coming from economically disadvantaged households and 17% receiving special education services, the school serves a population navigating significant real-world challenges. The diversity index of 30% is low — the student body is predominantly homogeneous — but this also means the school has deep experience serving this specific community. Average class sizes (21.9 students) match the district average, giving families a sense of the typical elementary and middle school experience in District 6.

Washington Heights is a dense, transit-rich neighborhood where the subway scores a near-perfect 96 out of 100, making commutes manageable even from distant parts of the city. The family density score of 85 confirms this is a neighborhood full of kids, though the safety score of just 3.83 is notably low — something parents should factor into their calculus. The area has a strong immigrant presence, with high rental rates (92% renters), moderate poverty (22%), and a median home value of $750,000 that puts pressure on families. The education orientation score of 52 suggests moderate community emphasis on schools, while the stability score of 33 reflects a neighborhood in flux.

Given the high transit score, many families likely rely on the subway or buses. The neighborhood is walkable, though parents should be aware of the safety considerations that come with the low safety score.