Success Academy Charter School - Harlem 4

This is a math powerhouse — 96.1% proficiency is nearly double the district average of 54%, and the school hasn't dipped below 94% in math since 2016. ELA proficiency at 86.5% is also strong and well above the district average of 59.3%, though ELA has been more volatile: a peak of 97.4% in 2019 dropped to 63.5% in 2024 before rebounding to 86.5% in 2025. The overall score of 3.65/4 places this among the stronger schools in the district, with steady strength across grades 3 through 7.

Teacher-reported instruction quality is solid at 89.4%, slightly above the district average of 87.2% — meaning the classroom experience for students is rigorous and structured. However, the chronic absenteeism rate of 76.8% is striking and significantly worse than typical district patterns, meaning most students miss substantial school time even as the school posts strong test scores from those who show up. Parent satisfaction at 71.8% is notably below the district average of 88%, suggesting some families feel disconnected from the school's decision-making or culture.

The student body is 51% Black, 36% Hispanic, and small shares of Asian, White, and multiracial students — a diversity index of 61%. With 83.5% economic need index, the school serves a population facing real financial pressure, and 18% of students have IEPs, well above the typical district share. South Harlem's median household income of about $68,750 and 20% poverty rate shape the families who attend, and the school draws from a deeply working-class, historically Black and Latino neighborhood that has seen rapid change in recent years.

South Harlem is a dense, family-oriented neighborhood where roughly 12% of households include children and just over half of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is low at 18%, reflecting a renter-heavy community with deep roots but ongoing demographic shifts. Median home values around $1.3 million reflect how dramatically the area has been revalued, even as longtime residents remain. The neighborhood blends historic Harlem character with newer arrivals, and families navigate a mix of long-standing community institutions and newer amenities.

Three subway stations are within easy walking range: Cathedral Pkwy (110 St) on the C and B lines is about a 4-minute walk, 116 St on the C and B lines about 5 minutes, and 110 St-Malcolm X Plaza on the 2 and 3 lines about 6 minutes.