Original Research by School Decision on Success Academy Charter School-bronx 3
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-BRONX 3
Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 3 is a free public charter school in the Bronx serving students from kindergarten through grade 11, with a total enrollment spread across those grade bands. The school is part of the Success Academy network, a charter operator in New York that has built a reputation around structured curricula and measured academic results.
For a family in the Bronx considering enrollment, two structural changes matter. First, Bronx 3 is now chartered as a full K-12 program. This means once a child enrolls in kindergarten, they are guaranteed a seat through grade 12. A family does not re-enter a lottery or re-apply to move from elementary to middle school or to high school. Second, starting in August 2026, Success Academy is opening a new Bronx-based high school campus. Until now, Bronx 3 families had to send their children to Success Academy high schools in Brooklyn, Harlem, or Manhattan for grades 9 and 12. The new in-borough option means a student can stay in the Bronx from kindergarten through graduation, rather than commuting across boroughs for the final years.
The student body at Bronx 3 is predominantly Black and Hispanic, drawn from the surrounding neighborhood. Data on free and reduced-price lunch eligibility and on students with IEPs or English learner status were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the profile of support services and how the school serves students whose first language is not English.
On academics, the Success Academy network's statewide standing is a draw. Publicly reported data show that in 2025 the network ranked at the top among New York State's districts and charter networks in math, and second in reading and ELA. At Bronx 3, a large majority of students tested proficient in both math and reading, figures described as far above citywide and statewide averages. The school did not provide state assessment results in the standard data submission, so specific numbers for Bronx 3 were not available here; however, the school's own web sources and external reporting indicate strong performance. A prospective family should request the school's most recent state test results directly.
Among Bronx County's districts, Bronx 3 shows a chronic absenteeism rate that sits above the midpoint of the county, meaning attendance is a concern relative to some peer districts in the same borough. The school's per-pupil spending falls in the lower range among county districts, which is not uncommon for charter schools that often operate with leaner budgets than traditional public district schools.
The school has a clear academic focus and a structured approach. It appeals to families who want a long-term guaranteed pathway from kindergarten through high school in a single school or network, without gaps or transitions. The addition of an in-borough high school removes a logistical barrier that previously affected families in the Bronx. For families evaluating whether Success Academy's model and culture fit their child, visiting and speaking with current families and staff is essential.
See more original research from School Decision →