Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change

Both ELA (46.8%) and math (49.5%) sit a bit below the district averages of 53.9% and 50.7%, but the trajectory tells a more interesting story. Math proficiency has rocketed from 7.1% in 2022 to 49.5% in 2025, and ELA climbed from 32.2% in 2023 to 46.8% in 2025 — gains that point to real instructional change, not just statistical noise. Grade-level breakdowns show 7th and 8th graders performing strongly (54.5% and 45.2% ELA; 52.9% and 65.1% math), while incoming 6th graders arrive behind, especially in math at 26.5%. Science proficiency at 31% is an area to watch. The overall school score of 1.93/4 sits below the district's 2.09 average — not yet caught up, but closing fast.

The climate data here is unusually strong. Parent satisfaction at 95% runs well above the district's 90.8%, and parent-teacher and parent-principal trust both hit 96%. Teachers rate instruction quality at 96% (district average 88%) and trust in their principal at 99%. Zero suspensions is striking for a middle-high school — and matches the program's emphasis on Restorative Circles and Peer Mediation. The catch is chronic absenteeism at 61.5%, which is high and skews higher among girls and Hispanic students. Average daily attendance at 87.9% is just a hair below the district average, but the day feels warm and orderly — teachers and families clearly like being here.

About 64% of students are Black, 30% Hispanic, with small shares of White, Asian, multi-racial, and Native American students — a diversity index of 48%. The school sits in a neighborhood that is similarly Black-majority and Hispanic, so families will find a student body that reflects the surrounding blocks. Twenty-eight percent of students have IEPs, which is high, and the economic need index of 86.1 means almost every family qualifies for free lunch. Enrollment demand is strong: 514 applicants competed for 85 seats in the screened program last cycle, an offer rate of about 17%.

The school sits in central Harlem, where the median household income is around $54,700 and roughly one in four residents lives below the poverty line. About 10% of households include children, and 36% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher. Homeownership is low at 12.6%, so most families rent. The neighborhood has a deep-rooted Black and Latino character that closely matches the school's demographics.

Subway access is solid: the 2 and 3 lines at 135 St are about a four-minute walk, the B and C lines at 135 St are about six minutes, and the 2 and 3 at 125 St are roughly eleven minutes away.