Success Academy Charter School - Harlem 6

The academic story here is striking — math proficiency hit 100% in 2024, up dramatically from 90% the prior year, while ELA climbed from 56% to 77% in the same period. These numbers far outpace the district averages (54% ELA, 51% math), representing exceptional growth in a community where most schools struggle to reach half of students proficient. The overall quality rating of 3.54 out of 4 is more than a full point above the district average of 2.09, placing this among the highest-performing schools in Manhattan. However, the 2023 dip in scores (especially ELA at 56%) suggests some volatility in academic trajectory that parents should monitor.

The culture data reveals a split personality. Teachers give the school high marks — 91% report strong instruction quality, suggesting confidence in leadership and curriculum. Yet only 68% of parents express satisfaction, and the family survey response rate of 0% (with just 1 response total) indicates a massive disconnect between the school and the families it serves. Attendance is solid at 92%, but chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 65%, suggesting many students are missing significant school time despite the overall attendance figure. The 2025 survey data is essentially unusable due to near-zero participation, leaving a blind spot in understanding family sentiment.

This is a high-need community in every sense — 86.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 19% have IEPs. The student body is predominantly Black (54%) and Hispanic (40%), with very few Asian (1%) or White (2%) students. The diversity index of 52% is moderate, reflecting a community that's somewhat homogenous by NYC standards but more diverse than many District 5 schools. The neighborhood itself is low-income (median household income $44,556), with only 6% homeownership and 27% poverty rate, making this school a critical institution in a community with limited resources.

Manhattanville-West Harlem is a transit-rich but safety-conscious neighborhood. The transit score of 90.8 means getting around is easy via subway and bus, which matters for families commuting from other parts of the city. However, the safety score of 11.11 is extremely low — among the lowest in the city — reflecting real concerns about crime density and environmental health factors (elevated lead and asthma rates). The neighborhood has very few families with children (8.6% of households) and low educational attainment (32% BA+), suggesting this is a community doing significant rebuilding. Family density scores just 44, indicating fewer young children than average.

The area is highly walkable with excellent transit access (90.8 score), but families should factor in the neighborhood's safety considerations when planning daily commutes, particularly for younger children.