Motley
District 88
PublicDistrict 8Unscreened

Urban Institute of Mathematics

650 HOLLYWOOD AVENUE

At a Glance

A math-focused middle school with sky-high family satisfaction and a dramatic turnaround story

Best suited for

Families who value a strong home-school partnership and want a school where parents feel heard — the survey numbers suggest active, trusting engagement between families and staff. Families prioritizing math growth will find a school with a proven turnaround track record. Those seeking robust arts and sports enrichment will be well-served. However, families who need strong science instruction, want dual-language options, or have children who struggle with chronic attendance should look elsewhere or plan to actively address the absenteeism pattern.

What stands out
  • 99% family satisfaction — nearly perfect parent experience
  • Math proficiency doubled over 8 years (27% → 63%), a genuine turnaround story
  • 100% parent-principal trust score — families feel genuinely heard
  • Teacher instruction quality rated 95%, well above the 88% district average
  • Robust enrichment: 100/100 program richness with strong arts, sports, STEM, and algebra
Things to consider
  • Chronic absenteeism at 68% means many enrolled students aren't attending regularly — this affects classroom culture and peer dynamics
  • Science proficiency at 18% is dramatically lower than math (54%) and ELA (55%) — a clear gap in the STEM emphasis
  • 8th grade performance (48% math, 51% ELA) lags behind 6th grade (63% math, 62% ELA) — outcomes weaken as students move up
  • ELL Support is the only listed language program — families seeking dual-language enrichment won't find it here
  • Lower PTA fundraising ($16/student) suggests less parent resource-raising capacity than some peers

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 8

District 8's unscreened middle schools show wide variation, from Success Academy's 96 to schools in the 60s. Urban Institute of Mathematics' 2.19 overall score places it above the district average of 1.88, making it a stronger performer within a district that struggles overall. Against peer schools like P.S. 75 (66) and Grand Concourse Academy (71), this school outperforms the average — though charter schools dominate the top district scores.

AcademicsImproving

Math proficiency at 54.3% sits well above the district average of 48%, while ELA at 55.1% outperforms the district's 46% by a meaningful margin. But the real story is the trajectory: math has skyrocketed from 27% in 2018 to nearly 63% in 2025 — a dramatic improvement that's rare in middle schools. Science at 18.2% is a clear weakness, suggesting the STEM focus may prioritize math over scientific inquiry. Grade-level data shows 6th graders performing strongest (63% math, 62% ELA), with performance tapering in 8th grade (48% math).

Culturemoderate

The survey data tells a remarkable story: 99% of families feel satisfied, 100% trust the principal, and 95% rate instruction quality as high — all substantially above district averages. Teachers report strong collegial trust (88%) and near-universal confidence in leadership (96%). Attendance at 90.8% slightly exceeds the district average, though chronic absenteeism at 68.4% is a concern that cuts across demographic groups. Discipline is minimal — just 3 suspensions last year, down from 4 in prior years — creating a school environment that feels safe and focused. The 97% family survey response rate suggests parents are deeply engaged, not just passively satisfied.

Community

At 359 students, this is a small-to-medium middle school with a demographics profile that mirrors the neighborhood: 70% Hispanic, 12% White, 10% Black, and 7% Asian. A quarter of students have IEPs, reflecting robust special education programming. The economic need index of 64% indicates significant poverty, yet the neighborhood's 49% homeownership rate and median income of $85K suggest a working- and middle-class community. The diversity index of 54% reflects a predominantly Hispanic student body with meaningful White and Black representation.

NeighborhoodThrogs Neck-Schuylerville

Throgs Neck-Schuylerville is a stable, residential Bronx neighborhood known for single-family homes and strong community roots — the stability score of 90 reflects长期居民和低流动率. With median home values at $581K and homeownership near 50%, it's an achievable neighborhood for families not priced out of Manhattan or north Bronx. Safety scores are moderate (61st percentile), and transit access is limited (44th percentile), so families should expect car dependency or long bus rides. The area has typical Bronx environmental challenges (elevated lead rates, moderate asthma rates), but the family density score suggests child-heavy households.

The neighborhood is car-dependent for most families. Those without vehicles should factor in long commute times, as transit options are limited compared to more connected Bronx areas.

Academic Performance

ELA Proficiency

55.1%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Math Proficiency

54.3%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Science Proficiency

18.2%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Science exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
99%
Teacher Trust
99%
Principal Trust
100%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
95%
Principal Trust
96%
Collegial Trust
88%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 340 families responded (97% rate)

Programs & Activities

Academic(1)
Accelerated/Honors
Arts(9)
ArtChorusDramaMusicMusical TheaterPerforming ArtsTheaterVisual ArtsVocal Music
Sports(8)
BaseballBasketballBoxingCross CountryFlag FootballFloor HockeySoccerVolleyball
STEM(5)
Lego RoboticsMathMath TeamRoboticsScience
Language(1)
ELL Support
Clubs & Activities(31)
Algebra IArtChoirDanceDebateDramaForeign LanguageHomework HelpLego RoboticsLibraryLiving EnvironmentMath TeamMusicMusical TheaterNational Junior Honor SocietyPeer MediationPhysical EducationRegents Living EnvironmentRoboticsScience OlympiadSpanishSpecialized High School Test PreparationStemStudent CouncilTalent ShowTheaterTutoringUrban AdvantageUs HistoryVisual ArtsYearbook

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Moderate
70%Hispanic/Latino
10%Black
12%White
7%Asian

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

PTA Fundraising

2024-25
$5,847total raised
$16per student

Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
63.9%
IEP Students
24.8%

Discipline

3suspensions (1% of students)
3-Year Trend↓ Declining
21
22
23

NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)

Frequently Asked Questions
Is Urban Institute of Mathematics a good school?
On Motley, Urban Institute of Mathematics earns an overall quality score of 55/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 8 average.
What grades does Urban Institute of Mathematics serve?
Urban Institute of Mathematics serves grades 6 to 8.
How do students get into Urban Institute of Mathematics?
Urban Institute of Mathematics admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
Is Urban Institute of Mathematics public, charter, or private?
Urban Institute of Mathematics is a public school in NYC Community School District 8.
What neighborhood is Urban Institute of Mathematics in?
Urban Institute of Mathematics is in Throgs Neck-Schuylerville, Bronx.
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