Success Academy Charter School - Williamsburg

Test scores here are exceptional by any measure: 84% ELA and 91% math proficiency compared to district averages of 62% and 59%. Looking at grade-level data, third graders scored 85% in ELA and 94% in math, while fourth graders hit 83% ELA and 88% math. The historical trend is worth noting — the school peaked in 2019 with 96% ELA and 99% math, then dropped sharply during the pandemic (ELA fell to 64% in 2022), and has since recovered to near-pre-pandemic levels. The overall 3.5/4 score from the city is notably higher than the district average of 2.4.

Teacher instruction quality scores a remarkable 95%, suggesting strong classroom practices. However, the attendance picture is troubling: while the overall attendance rate of 92.4% exceeds the district average of 89%, the chronic absenteeism rate of 71.7% is extraordinarily high — meaning most students are missing significant portions of the school year. Parent satisfaction sits at 83%, which is actually below the district average of 94%. This combination of high teacher quality but weaker family engagement and poor attendance consistency suggests a school where what's happening in the classroom works, but getting students there consistently is a challenge.

With 389 students in grades K-4, this is a small school with a genuinely diverse population: 49% Hispanic, 20% Black, 14% White, 12% Multi-Racial, and 6% Asian. The diversity index of 77% is a real strength. Nearly 17% of students have IEPs, and the economic need index of 68.6% indicates a substantial portion of families face financial challenges — which stands in interesting contrast to the neighborhood's high median household income of $129,000. This suggests the school serves a mix of longer-resident families and newer arrivals to Williamsburg.

Williamsburg is a neighborhood of sharp contrasts: excellent transit (84th percentile), high family density, and strong education orientation — yet low safety scores (29th percentile) and elevated environmental concerns like asthma rates and lead exposure. The median home value of $1.3 million reflects how gentrified this area has become, but the 16% poverty rate and low homeownership (17%) reveal who's still here. Families will find strong transit access and lots of other young families, but should be aware of the safety and environmental data.

The school is in a transit-rich area with excellent subway access, and the neighborhood is highly walkable — families commonly walk or take the bus. However, the area's low safety score and high traffic collision rate mean parents should factor in pedestrian safety when planning routes.