Young Voices Academy of the Bronx

Test scores sit slightly above the district average — 58.5% in ELA versus 56.7% district-wide, and 55% in math matching the district average exactly. That said, the trajectory has been a rollercoaster: ELA dipped to 34% in 2022, rebounded to 49% in 2023, dropped again to 40.7% in 2024, then surged to 58.5% in 2025. Math followed a similar pattern, climbing to 55.7% in 2023 before settling at 55% in 2025. Fifth graders are performing strongest (67.6% ELA, 60.5% Math), while third and fourth graders lag — a pattern that suggests earlier grades may need more support. The overall quality score of 2.27/4 is essentially flat with the district average of 2.25.

Here's what stands out: the school has had zero suspensions for three consecutive years, and teachers report near-universal collegial trust (98%). Parents are overwhelmingly positive — 95% say they're satisfied, 97% trust the teachers, and 93% trust the principal. Teacher-reported safety is high at 96%. But there's a glaring tension: chronic absenteeism sits at 73.1%, which is extraordinarily high. That means roughly 3 out of 4 students are missing significant school time. It's particularly severe for male students (76.8%) and Asian students (75.6%), though female students and Hispanic students fare slightly better (around 69%). Even with a 92.6% attendance rate, the chronic absenteeism number suggests many families are cycling in and out of school inconsistently — a pattern that likely contributes to the test-score volatility. Teacher-principal trust is notably lower (83%) than parent trust, hinting at some internal leadership dynamics families may not see.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (66%), reflecting the broader neighborhood demographics. There's notable Asian enrollment (12%) and White enrollment (16%), giving the school a diversity index of 57%. About 17% of students have IEPs, and 74.7% qualify for free or reduced lunch — a high economic need index that shapes the resources families rely on. The enrollment of 368 students across pre-K through 5th grade keeps class sizes at a manageable 23.8 on average, matching the district average exactly.

Pelham Parkway-Van Nest is a long-established Bronx neighborhood with strong stability (86.21%) but real environmental health concerns. Safety scores are low (16.48 percentile), and the area has elevated asthma rates and lead exposure risks that parents should be aware of. Transit access is solid (64.75), making it manageable for families who need to commute. The median home value of $415,696 and homeownership rate of just 22.8% tell you this is primarily a renter community. Family density is moderate (42.91), and education orientation (31.8) suggests this isn't a neighborhood where academic intensity is the dominant culture — it's more working-class and rooted.

As a zoned school, most students walk to class. The neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly for local families, though safety concerns around traffic (collision rate: 173.5) and crime density are worth noting.