Summit Academy Charter School

Test scores at Summit Academy lag significantly behind District 15 averages — ELA at 45.7% versus the district's 65.5%, and math at just 29.7% against 63.3%. The overall quality rating of 1.51 out of 4 places this school firmly in the lower tier. Science performance (57.7%) is stronger relative to peers, but the overall pattern shows students working to catch up rather than lead. The historical trend is volatile: scores dropped sharply in 2022 (ELA fell to 20.6%, math to 12.7%), rebounded dramatically in 2023 (ELA to 55%, math to 39.7%), then dipped again in 2024-2025. Grade-level data shows 8th graders performing best in ELA (60%) while 6th graders are furthest behind (22.2% math).

The survey data reveals a striking disconnect: families absolutely love this school (99% satisfaction, 99% parent-teacher trust, 97% parent-principal trust), yet teacher-reported instruction quality sits at 80% and teacher-principal trust at 82% — respectable but notably lower than parent sentiment. Teacher collegial trust is stronger at 87%. With only 18 teacher responses, however, the teacher voice is thin. The attendance rate of 99.5% is exceptional, though the 100% chronic absenteeism figure (covering all demographic groups) seems contradictory and warrants clarification from the school. There's no suspension rate data provided, limiting visibility into discipline approaches.

With just 216 students across grades 6-12, Summit Academy is small — averaging 25 students per class. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (59%) and Black (36%), with minimal Asian (1%) and white (2%) representation. This differs from the neighborhood's overall demographics but reflects the charter's mission to serve high-need populations. Nearly 27% of students have IEPs, and the economic need index of 88.9% indicates significant student hardship. The diversity index sits at 50%.

The Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook area is one of Brooklyn's most family-friendly neighborhoods, scoring 86th percentile for family density and 87th for education orientation. Median home values exceed $1.7 million, and 68% of residents have bachelor's degrees. Safety scores are moderate (50.57 percentile), and transit access is moderate. However, environmental health indicators show concerns: PM2.5 levels, elevated lead rates (about 20%), and asthma rates (104 per 1,000) suggest air quality challenges. The neighborhood has parks and family resources, though it's more known for its quiet residential streets and local shops than extensive green space.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with tree-lined streets, making it manageable for families who live nearby. However, given the small enrollment and charter lottery admissions, many families may commute from other parts of Brooklyn.