The School for Inquiry and Social Justice

Test scores here have declined markedly from their 2019 peak, when ELA hit 51% and math reached 55%. Both subjects have since fallen roughly 20 percentage points — ELA now at 34% and math at 32% — placing the school well below the District 8 averages of 46% and 48%. Science performs somewhat better at 43%, but overall the 1.34 overall score trails the district average of 1.88. Grade-level data shows Grade 6 performing weakest in both subjects (29.8% ELA, 21.9% math), while Grade 8 edges slightly higher at around 37% in both. The trajectory is concerning — scores have dropped each year since 2019, suggesting the school has not yet found its footing post-pandemic.

Here's what's notable: despite below-average test scores, families report feeling genuinely welcomed and trusted. Parent satisfaction runs at 91%, parent-teacher trust at 93%, and parent-principal trust at 92% — numbers that reflect a school where relationships matter. Teacher instruction quality scores 84% (slightly below the 88% district average), and teachers report strong collegial trust at 89%. Discipline is minimal — just 3 suspensions last year for a 1% rate, well below the district average of 0.6%. However, chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 64.4%, meaning nearly two-thirds of students are missing significant school time. This isn't a school with a discipline problem; it's one where getting kids through the door daily seems to be the core challenge.

The student body is 77% Hispanic and 17% Black, reflecting the surrounding Soundview-Bruckner neighborhood's demographics. With an economic need index of 86.1% — among the highest in the city — nearly all families here face significant financial hardship. Twenty-two percent of students have IEPs, suggesting robust special education services. The diversity index sits at 42%, fairly typical for the area. This is a school where most families are managing tight budgets, and many students come with complex needs — yet they're showing up to a place where they feel their voices matter.

The Soundview-Bruckner-Bronx River area is a dense, working-class Bronx neighborhood with significant challenges. The median household income is just $41,359, and 31.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Only 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree, and homeownership sits at 13%. The area scores poorly on safety (15th percentile) and education orientation (28th percentile), though family density ranks high (71st percentile). Environmental health concerns are notable — asthma rates are elevated, and lead exposure rates reach 15%. Families here are navigating real everyday constraints, and the school is very much embedded in this context.

Many families walk or take public transit; the neighborhood has moderate transit access (49th percentile). Given the high poverty rate and low car ownership, the school is highly dependent on reliable bus service and safe walking routes.