The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Math. The lowest is 25% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on New York City Geographic District #12
NYC Geographic District 12 is a Bronx district serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12, with an enrollment across its schools that spans roughly the size expected of a major urban district's geographic zone. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and smaller shares of Asian, American Indian, white, and multiracial students. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, and counts of students with IEPs or English learner status were not reported.
Across state testing in math and English language arts, District 12's proficiency results sit well below the midpoint within Bronx County's districts. In math, results range from the low thirties to low forties at the elementary levels, dip to the mid-twenties by grade 6, then rebound slightly to the upper thirties by grade 8. English language arts shows a broadly similar pattern, with early elementary results around the mid-thirties to low forties, a decline through the middle grades, and recovery to the mid-thirties by grade 8. Science proficiency in grade 5 is notably lower, in the low twenties, and in grade 8 sits at around 28 percent. State assessment data for high school grades was not provided, and no graduation rate was reported; this gap likely reflects the way New York structures its accountability reporting rather than missing data on the district's part.
Participation rates in state testing are solid, generally in the high eighties to low nineties across subjects and grades in the elementary and middle band, though grade 8 science shows a lower participation rate of around 62 percent, which a parent may want to investigate further with the district.
The district operates roughly a dozen traditional public elementary and middle schools alongside a diverse portfolio of higher schools including charter and alternative options such as Bronx Latin, Explorations Academy, Bard High School Early College, and Schools of Performing Arts and Science and Applied Learning. This breadth of offerings at the secondary level provides different pathways and pedagogical approaches.
Two major curriculum changes are underway. Beginning in September 2023, all elementary schools shifted to a mandated reading program, "Into Reading," which uses phonics-based, structured literacy instruction and replaced the prior system in which schools selected their own reading curriculum. For math, District 12's middle schools and high schools have adopted Illustrative Mathematics starting in the 2024-2025 school year, emphasizing conceptual understanding and problem-based learning rather than procedural drill. In fall 2026, elementary schools will transition to Illustrative Mathematics as well, marking the first time elementary math teachers in the district will be required to change their core instructional approach. These are lasting, system-wide shifts that directly affect what students learn and how teachers deliver instruction.
A parent or resident considering District 12 should understand that academic proficiency is below the county average, that reading and math instruction have undergone or will undergo significant mandated changes, and that the district offers multiple school options including traditional public, charter, and specialized schools at the secondary level. The testing results and curriculum transitions are material facts to weigh when evaluating fit for a student.
See more original research from School Decision →