Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

Academic performance data was not included in this dataset, so direct proficiency comparisons to district averages are not possible. However, several contextual factors inform the academic picture: 26% of students have IEPs (slightly elevated), the school offers AP courses, and the program richness score of 89.3/100 indicates a robust selection of academic and enrichment offerings including world languages and ELL support.

The culture and climate data reveals a nuanced picture. Family satisfaction at 79% trails the district average of 91%, and teacher instruction quality ratings (73%) are notably below the district average of 88%. However, parent-principal trust (86%) and parent-teacher trust (83%) are relatively strong, suggesting families feel heard by leadership even if overall satisfaction lags. Teacher-principal trust sits at 70%, which is below the district average and worth noting — parents should know that some staff have reservations about leadership. On the positive side, teacher collegial trust is high at 84%, indicating teachers support each other. The most striking metric: zero suspensions, compared to a district average of 1.2% — a significant achievement for a high-need population.

The student body is predominantly Black (51%) and Hispanic (45%), with very small Asian (2%) and White (1%) populations — a demographics profile that closely mirrors the surrounding West Harlem neighborhood. The diversity index of 48% reflects this relatively homogeneous composition, though it accurately represents the community. Nearly all students (86.5%) come from economically disadvantaged households, and over a quarter have IEPs, indicating significant special education representation. The school serves a genuinely high-need population while maintaining a small enrollment of 327 students across four grades, which allows for personalized attention.

Manhattanville-West Harlem is a predominantly working-class neighborhood in Upper Manhattan with deep cultural roots and strong transit access (90.8 percentile), but significant challenges. The median household income of $44,556 is well below city averages, and only 5% of residents own homes. The area scores very low on safety (11.11 percentile) with elevated crime density, and environmental health concerns including elevated PM2.5 levels and high asthma rates. However, the neighborhood has a family-oriented feel and is home to community institutions that serve local families.

The neighborhood is highly walkable and well-served by transit, with the 90.8 transit score reflecting easy access to subway and bus lines. Families from across Manhattan and the Bronx can reach the school relatively easily, though those coming from distant boroughs should factor in commute time.