The Highbridge Green School

Math scores have nearly tripled from 7.3% in 2016 to 44.1% in 2025 — a genuine upward trajectory that now matches the district average. ELA improved from 20% to 38.3%, still below the 45% district average but noticeably closing the gap. Grade 7 is the strongest performing cohort with half of students proficient in math, while Grade 6 lags slightly behind. The overall quality score of 1.65/4 sits just below the district average of 1.79, reflecting a school that is improving but hasn't yet reached district median performance.

Here's what stands out: families absolutely love this school. Parent satisfaction hits 96% with near-perfect trust scores in both teachers and the principal. Teachers report 95% quality of instruction — notably above the 90% district average — and 91% collegial trust among staff. The one soft spot is teacher-principal trust at 78%, which is decent but lower than other measures. Discipline is minimal with just one suspension last year and a near-zero suspension rate. The catch? Chronic absenteeism sits at a concerning 72.6%, meaning nearly three-quarters of students missed enough school to be considered chronically absent — likely reflecting the economic and transportation challenges of the neighborhood rather than school climate issues.

This is a tight-knit school with 385 students in grades 6-8 plus special education programs. The student body is 77% Hispanic and 22% Black — reflecting the Highbridge neighborhood's demographics. One in four students has an IEP, a higher proportion than many schools, suggesting the school has built systems to support diverse learners. The diversity index of 33% is moderate, and the school offers ELL support for multilingual families.

Highbridge is a working-class Bronx neighborhood where families far outnumber seniors — the family density score is 57th percentile. The area scores very low on safety (3.45 out of 100) and education orientation (24.9), reflecting the economic realities parents here navigate. Transit access is solid at 62, making commutes feasible. There are parks and community resources nearby, though the neighborhood faces the kind of challenges — elevated crime density and environmental health concerns — that add stress to family life.

Families from the surrounding blocks can walk, but many students commute from across the district. The area is served by subway and bus lines, though parents often cite transportation logistics as a practical concern given chronic absenteeism patterns.