Urban Assembly School for Leadership and Empowerment

ELA proficiency at 63.9% sits just below the district average of 66.2%, while math at 51.9% trails the district's 71.2% more noticeably. However, the school's academic trajectory is encouraging — ELA has risen steadily from 40.9% in 2016, and math improved from a low of 32.7% in 2022 to 51.9% today. Grade 7 performs strongest (73.4% ELA), suggesting the middle school years are particularly strong. The overall quality score of 2.32/4 is slightly below the district average of 2.75, reflecting the math gap.

This is a school where families feel heard and teachers trust leadership. Parent satisfaction runs at 93%, with parent-teacher trust at 91% and parent-principal trust at 90%. Teacher instruction quality scores 90%, and teacher-principal trust sits at 85%. The school has achieved zero suspensions — a notable accomplishment in a district where the average suspension rate is 0.32%. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 73.6%, with Hispanic (82.1%) and White (83.3%) students missing the most school. The attendance rate of 92.9% lags slightly behind the district average of 94.2%.

The student body is notably diverse: 48% Asian, 19% Hispanic, 19% White, 11% Black, with a diversity index of 74%. The economic need index is high at 85.1%, and 15% of students have IEPs. This reflects a community of working families with significant financial strain — the neighborhood's poverty rate is 32.8% and median household income is $52,529, well below citywide averages. Despite these challenges, the school maintains a robust program offerings including AP courses, arts, world languages, and extensive extracurriculars.

Borough Park is a densely populated, family-centric neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn with a strong immigrant presence. The area scores 97.32 on family density — one of the highest in the city — but scores lower on education orientation (49.04) and safety (52.87). Transit access is moderate (58.24), and the neighborhood has seen significant housing pressure with median home values at $1.16 million despite moderate incomes. Families should note the neighborhood's lower stability score (14.18) and health environment concerns including elevated lead rates and asthma rates.

The school is accessible by foot from much of Borough Park, and students from beyond the neighborhood can reach it via public transit. Families living in the immediate area typically walk, while those from other parts of District 20 may have longer commutes.