Success Academy Charter School - Bronx 2

The numbers are remarkable: 96% ELA proficiency and 96.8% math proficiency place this school among the highest-performing in New York State, more than doubling the district average of roughly 45%. Looking at grade-level data, performance is strong across the board—Grade 6 math hit 100%, Grade 5 math reached 99.2%, and even the lowest-performing grade (Grade 7 ELA at 91.5%) still far exceeds citywide averages. This didn't happen overnight; the school experienced a significant dip during the pandemic (2022 saw ELA drop to 70% and math to 75%) but has staged a powerful recovery, climbing to pre-pandemic levels and in some cases exceeding them.

The climate data tells a more complicated story than the test scores. Teachers report strong instruction quality (90%) and relatively solid safety perceptions (83%), with a low suspension rate of 0.42% that suggests the school relies less on exclusionary discipline than some peers. However, parent trust metrics reveal tension: parent-principal trust sits at just 60%, notably lower than the 80% parent-teacher trust, suggesting some families have concerns about school leadership or communication. The 72% parent satisfaction falls well below the district average of 94%, which is striking for a school with such strong academic outcomes—some families may feel the rigorous approach comes with tradeoffs in responsiveness or flexibility.

With 1,083 students across grades K-8, the school draws primarily from the surrounding neighborhood where Black and Hispanic families make up the overwhelming majority—58% Black, 36% Hispanic, matching the neighborhood demographics almost exactly. The diversity index of 52% reflects this two-primary-group composition. Notably, 15% of students have IEPs, showing the school serves some special education students despite the rigorous academic reputation. The economic need index of 86.4% means nearly 9 in 10 families meet the threshold for free or reduced lunch, confirming this serves a high-need population that other schools often struggle to reach academically.

Claremont Village in the Bronx sits in one of the city's highest-poverty areas, with a median household income of just $30,475 and a homeownership rate near 3%. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (11th percentile) with elevated crime density and collision rates, though transit access is strong (75th percentile) making commutes feasible. Education orientation is low at just 23rd percentile—fewer neighbors have bachelor's degrees and the area isn't saturated with enrichment options. However, the community is stable (64th percentile) with a strong sense of family presence despite the challenges. For families here, a school delivering this level of academic achievement represents a rare high-quality option in an area where they otherwise face difficult choices.

The school is situated in a dense urban area with decent transit access, though many families travel from beyond the immediate neighborhood to attend—this is a charter school drawing from across District 9, so commute lengths vary significantly depending on where families live within the zone.