School of Performing Arts

Test scores here are below the district average — 30% ELA versus 44.6% districtwide, and 40.5% math versus 43.3% districtwide — but the trajectory tells a more hopeful story. Math has nearly sextupled since 2016, climbing from 7% to over 40% proficiency in nine years, and ELA has also climbed steadily from single digits to 30%. Grade 7 is the standout: 47.5% ELA and 53.7% math proficiency, both above district averages. However, Grade 6 is struggling significantly with only 15.6% ELA and 28.9% math proficiency, suggesting a bottleneck either in early middle school transition or foundational skills. The overall 1.41/4 score places this school below the district average of 1.76, reflecting that while progress is real, there's still ground to cover.

The survey data here tells two different stories, and that's worth paying attention to. Families are overwhelmingly positive — 97% satisfaction, 96% parent-teacher trust, 95% parent-principal trust — with a 98% response rate showing strong family engagement. But teachers tell a different story: only 33% trust in the principal, 41% collegial trust among staff, and just 64% rate instruction quality as good. The low teacher survey response count (22 responses) makes this tricky to interpret, but it's a signal worth noting. Attendance is a real concern — 89.1% attendance rate is slightly below the district average, and a shocking 55.8% of students are chronically absent. Discipline is minimal (1% suspension rate, just 1 student suspended in 2023-24) and has improved over three years. The day-to-day feel seems to be: families feel welcomed and heard, but staff may be struggling with leadership and workload.

This is a predominantly Hispanic school (62%) with a significant Black student population (33%), reflecting the Longwood neighborhood's demographics. Nearly all students (94.7%) come from economically disadvantaged households, and 36% have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — well above typical middle schools. The diversity index is 48%, and class sizes average 21.9 students, right at the district average. There's an ELL support program, and the school offers an unusually rich array of arts programming including band, chorus, dance, visual arts, and performing arts.

Longwood is a high-density, transit-rich Bronx neighborhood where most residents rent (87.3% homeownership rate) and median household income is just $36,558 — well below citywide averages. Only 14.3% of households have children, making this a neighborhood that's more working-age adult than family-heavy, though the family density score (83rd percentile) suggests families with children do live here. The area scores poorly on education orientation (20th percentile) and safety (4.21 score, with elevated crime density), but excels in transit access (93rd percentile). There are environmental health concerns — lead exposure rates and asthma emergency department visits are elevated. Families considering this school are likely relying on public transit or walking through an urban environment that requires navigation of real city challenges.

The neighborhood scores very high on transit (93rd percentile), meaning most families likely arrive via bus or subway. Walking is common in this dense Bronx area, though parents should be aware of the safety indicators (elevated crime density) when planning routes.