Union Johnson Early Childhood Programs

As an early childhood program serving 3K and pre-K students, Union Johnson does not participate in state academic assessments. There are no ELA or math proficiency scores to report — the academic focus here is on foundational school readiness skills, social-emotional development, and early literacy experiences appropriate for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Survey data is extremely limited — only one teacher responded — making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions about trust, safety, or instruction quality. Without sufficient teacher and family feedback, the day-to-day culture and climate at this early childhood center cannot be meaningfully characterized from available data.

The school serves families in a neighborhood where just 10.8% of households include children — making this center a rare resource for the minority of East Harlem families with very young children. The surrounding community is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with high poverty rates (33.2%) and low homeownership (8%), meaning most families rent and many face economic instability. The BA+ education rate of 29.9% suggests a working-class parent population.

East Harlem (North) presents a complex picture for families. Transit access is excellent (82.76 percentile) — this is a highly connected part of Manhattan — but safety scores are among the lowest in the city (9.58 percentile). The neighborhood has elevated environmental health concerns: asthma emergency department rates are high (155 per 100,000), and 7.9% of tested buildings show elevated lead levels. Housing code violations are common. However, the neighborhood scores well on education orientation (72.8 percentile), suggesting families here value schooling.

The area is highly walkable with excellent transit options — families can easily reach the center on foot or via subway from much of East Harlem. However, parents should be aware of the neighborhood's safety concerns and environmental health factors when planning walks with young children.