At a Glance
A small, unscreened high school where trust between families and staff is exceptionally high — serving a diverse student body in a highly affluent neighborhood
Families who prioritize a small, tight-knit school community with exceptionally high parent satisfaction and strong trust between families and staff. Ideal for students who thrive in a diverse environment with robust support services (ELL, special education) and want access to the Upper West Side's family resources without the competitive admissions process of nearby screened schools. Particularly well-suited for families who value survey-based relationship metrics over test score rankings.
- Parent satisfaction (97%) and trust scores (96-97%) are among the highest in the district — families clearly feel heard and valued
- Zero suspensions reported, suggesting a restorative or supportive approach to discipline
- Small enrollment of 369 students creates an intimate community feel
- Serves high-need population (78% economic need) while maintaining strong family relationships
- Offers ELL support and Italian language, with a rich extracurricular program including sports and clubs
- 25% offer rate indicates selective demand despite being unscreened
- No ELA or Math proficiency data available — academic performance cannot be directly assessed
- Class sizes match the district average (23.1), not smaller than typical District 3 schools
- The school serves a predominantly low-income population in an affluent neighborhood — families should consider fit
- 20% IEP population means specialized services are available, but parents of students with significant needs should inquire about specific supports
- Surrounding neighborhood is expensive and competitive; the school itself is modest in appearance
Based on 2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 3
District 3 includes some of the city's highest-performing schools (Special Music School at 100/100, Anderson School at 98/100, Success Academy charters in the 90s). Without test score data, this school is harder to compare directly. However, its survey scores outpace the district average significantly, suggesting strong community relationships compensate for any academic performance gaps. It's one of the more accessible unscreened options in a district dominated by selective and charter schools.
This school does not have ELA or Math proficiency scores published, making it difficult to directly compare academic performance against district averages. The school offers AP Courses and Italian language instruction, and the average class size matches the district average at 23.1 students.
The survey results here are extraordinary. Parent satisfaction sits at 97% — well above the district average of 88% — and parent trust in both teachers and the principal exceeds 96%. Teachers report similarly high trust in leadership (91%) and collegial support (94%). Instruction quality scores 88%, matching the district average. There were zero suspensions last year, which is notably lower than the district average of 0.39%. This suggests a school environment where relationships are strong and behavioral issues are handled restoratively.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic (61%) and Black (31%), with very few Asian (2%) or White (3%) students. This diversity index of 51% reflects a school that looks quite different from the surrounding neighborhood, which is 83% college-educated with a median household income of $162,000. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support, indicating robust special education and English language learner programs.
The Upper West Side-Lincoln Square is an exceptionally family-friendly area with a transit score of 97 and family density score of 100. Education orientation ranks at 96, meaning families here are highly invested in schools. However, the safety percentile score of 23 is relatively low — though this reflects percentile ranking among all NYC neighborhoods, not raw crime rates. The area has excellent access to parks, cultural institutions, and public transportation.
The school is easily accessible by subway and bus, given the neighborhood's transit score of 97. Many families walk or take public transit; parking is difficult in this densely built area.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 263 families responded (85% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Upper West Side-Lincoln Square.
- What grades does Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The serve?
- Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The?
- Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The uses the Educational Option (Ed-Opt) method, ranking applicants across performance levels so seats go to a mix of abilities.
- Is Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The public, charter, or private?
- Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The is a public school in NYC Community School District 3.
- What neighborhood is Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The in?
- Urban Assembly School for Media Studies, The is in Upper West Side-Lincoln Square, Manhattan.
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Discipline
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