Success Academy Charter School - Bensonhurst

Test scores at this school are extraordinary by any measure — 92.1% ELA and 97% math proficiency dwarf the district averages of 60% and 63%. However, the historical trend shows some volatility: scores peaked in 2019 at 95.8% ELA before dipping to the mid-80s in 2022-2024, then rebounding to the current highs. Grade 4 slightly underperforms Grade 3 in both subjects, suggesting room for growth in upper elementary. These scores place the school among the highest-performing in the entire city, though the recent fluctuations may warrant watching for families seeking consistency.

Attendance is solid at 93.1%, matching the district average, but chronic absenteeism is strikingly high at 77.5% — meaning most students miss significant stretches of school despite being technically present. Parent satisfaction comes in at 77.2%, notably below the district average of 92%, suggesting some families have concerns about the school experience beyond test scores. Teacher instruction quality scores 87.6%, slightly below the district average of 92.6%, which is unusual for a high-performing school. The school does not provide discipline data, but the attendance pattern raises questions about whether the structured charter model works for all families.

The student body is predominantly white (58%) with significant Asian representation (25%), while Black and Hispanic students make up just 6% and 10% respectively. This demographic profile differs markedly from the surrounding Bensonhurst neighborhood, which has larger Hispanic and Asian populations. The diversity index of 63% sounds high, but the school's population is less diverse than many district peers. Economic need sits at 59.9%, indicating a mix of economic backgrounds, though the high homeownership rates in the neighborhood (32%) may correlate with family stability here.

Bensonhurst is a densely populated, family-heavy neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn with moderate education orientation and notably low safety scores (40.61 percentile). The area has a strong homeownership culture despite rising home values now exceeding $1 million. Transit options are moderate (45.98 percentile), and the neighborhood scores poorly on stability (20.31), reflecting its transient rental population. Families should know the neighborhood has historically been considered safe but shows elevated crime density and collision rates in the data.

The neighborhood is densely built with mixed-use blocks — families typically walk or drive, and parking can be challenging during school hours. Transit access is adequate but not as strong as more central Brooklyn neighborhoods.