Sheridan Academy for Young Leaders

Test scores at Sheridan Academy remain below the District 9 average (44.8% ELA vs. 44.8% district; 44.2% math matches the district exactly), but the trajectory matters. After a pandemic plunge — ELA dropped to 18.2% in 2024, math to 39.2% — the school has rebounded sharply in 2025, with math nearly doubling from the prior year and ELA climbing nearly 16 percentage points. Grade 3 is the strongest performing cohort, with 59.6% math proficiency and 36.2% ELA. Grade 5 shows concerning weakness in math (28.6%), suggesting that earlier grade intervention is working but older students may need targeted support. The overall quality score of 1.56 out of 4 reflects this recovery phase — not yet meeting district benchmarks but demonstrably moving in the right direction.

This is a school with a paradox: families love it, but teachers are strained. Parent satisfaction sits at 96% — well above the district average — with 97% parent-teacher trust and a remarkable 100% reporting strong relationships. Yet teacher-reported instruction quality (52%) and teacher-principal trust (33%) both fall far below district averages. Teacher-reported safety (63%) is also notably lower than the district norm. The discipline record is spotless — zero suspensions for three consecutive years — which reflects a genuinely supportive approach to student behavior. Chronic absenteeism is high at 60.7%, slightly above the district average, and consistent across demographic groups. The picture is of a school where families feel welcomed and respected, but where staff may be dealing with systemic challenges that affect morale.

With 471 students in grades pre-K through 5 plus special education, Sheridan Academy reflects its neighborhood: 67% Hispanic, 28% Black, 3% Asian, and 1% White. The diversity index of 46% is moderate, and the economic need index of 93.3% places this among the highest-need schools in the city. Nearly a quarter of students (23%) have IEPs. This is a working-class community where most families rent (only 11% homeownership) and relatively few have bachelor's degrees (16%). The school is a neighborhood institution — the kind of place where family survey response rates are strong (60%) because parents are genuinely invested.

Concourse-Concourse Village is a densely populated, transit-rich corner of the Bronx where families are common but resources are stretched. Median home values hover around $350,000, but homeownership is rare at 11%, meaning most families rent. The neighborhood scores very high on family density (77th percentile) and transit access (67th percentile), making it practical for commuters, but safety scores are low (2.68 out of 100), and the education orientation of the area is weak (32nd percentile). Lead exposure rates and asthma rates are elevated — environmental health concerns that affect student wellbeing. There's a gritty, resilient character to the neighborhood; families here are navigating real challenges while still prioritizing their children's education.

The neighborhood is highly walkable and well-served by subway and bus lines, making it accessible to families without cars. The area around Sheridan Avenue sees foot traffic from local residents throughout the day.