South Bronx Community Charter High School

The school operates in District 9, where average ELA and math proficiency both hover around 44-45% — already below citywide averages. Without reported state test scores for this specific school, the district context suggests students here are working to meet basic proficiency benchmarks in a system where even the highest-performing charters (Icahn 1 at 99/100, Success Academy Bronx 2 at 97/100) represent the exception rather than the rule. The class size of 20.5 aligns closely with the district average of 20.8, offering typical secondary school staffing.

The survey data reveals a school with strong internal culture but notable tensions. Teacher collegial trust is exceptional at 93%, and parent-teacher trust runs high at 90%. However, teacher instruction quality ratings (80%) fall below the district average of 90%, and teacher-principal trust sits at 75% — the lowest metric, suggesting some tension between staff and leadership. Parent satisfaction at 89% trails the district average of 94%, though it's still positive. The low survey response rates (18% families, 20 teachers) make these figures directional rather than definitive.

This is a neighborhood school in the truest sense: 59% Hispanic and 38% Black, reflecting the Morrisania community almost exactly. Nearly 90% of students face economic hardship, and 24% have IEPs — both well above city averages. The diversity index of 44% is modest, driven primarily by the two dominant groups. With only 330 students across four grades, the school is intentionally small, which likely contributes to the strong trust scores between families and teachers.

Morrisania ranks in the 3rd percentile for safety — among the lowest in the city — with a crime density over 6,700 incidents per 100,000 residents. Environmental health concerns are significant: asthma emergency department rates exceed 75 per 1,000, and 15% of children show elevated lead levels. On the upside, transit access is strong (72nd percentile), and the neighborhood scores high on family density (88th percentile), meaning many families in the area are raising children despite the economic pressures. Education orientation is low (27th percentile), reflecting the broader socioeconomic challenges.

The school is accessible via multiple Bronx bus lines connecting through the neighborhood. Families from nearby blocks can walk, though the low safety score means many parents may prefer to accompany younger students. The high family density means many students live within walking distance.