The High School for Climate Justice

Test scores are significantly below District 2 averages — ELA proficiency sits at 24% versus the district average of 73%, and math at just 13.7% compared to 72.5% district-wide. However, the school has shown meaningful growth: ELA improved from 6.7% in 2016 to 24% in 2018, while math rose from 5.3% to 13.7% over the same period. This suggests students are catching up, though they're starting from a very low base. The overall quality score of 0.75/4 reflects how far the school has to go compared to peer schools in District 2.

The survey data tells a complicated story. Parent satisfaction, parent-teacher trust, and parent-principal trust all hit 94%, and teachers rate instruction quality at 97% with 95% trust in leadership. These numbers are exceptional — families and teachers clearly feel supported and heard. However, chronic absenteeism sits at 53.7%, meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time. Combined with zero suspensions, this paints a picture of a school that's built strong relationships but struggles to get students through the door consistently.

The student body looks quite different from the surrounding neighborhood. While Upper East Side-Yorkville has a median household income of $136,925 and only 7.8% poverty, the school's economic need index is 87.9%. Demographics are 58% Hispanic, 23% Black, 10% Asian, and 7% White, with 27% of students having IEPs. This suggests the school draws from a broader geographic area, serving students from higher-need communities across Manhattan. The diversity index of 65% is notably high.

Upper East Side-Yorkville is a family-dense, transit-rich neighborhood with excellent education orientation (90.8 percentile). It's known for its access to Central Park, strong transit options (89.27 transit score), and upscale residential character. However, the safety score is relatively low (26.82 percentile), and the area has elevated environmental health concerns including higher asthma rates and PM2.5 levels. The neighborhood is predominantly affluent and educated (76.7% BA+), creating a stark contrast with the school's high-need population.

The area is highly walkable with excellent transit access. Families from across Manhattan likely use public transportation to reach the school, given its central Upper East Side location and the fact that many students come from outside the immediate neighborhood.