The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Math. The lowest is 24% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on International School for Liberal Arts
International School for Liberal Arts is a public middle and high school serving grades six through twelve in the Bronx, located on Reservoir Avenue in a neighborhood with evolving economic context. The school is part of New York City Geographic District 10.
The student body is almost exclusively Hispanic and comes from economically disadvantaged households. Almost all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment sits at around five hundred students, with relatively balanced numbers across grades, though the school's middle grades are smaller.
Academic performance on state assessments shows a mixed picture with notable challenges. In sixth-grade English language arts, proficiency falls at a low level. Seventh grade shows stronger performance, with math proficiency in the mid-range and ELA proficiency lower. By eighth grade, math proficiency drops to about a third of students meeting the standard, and ELA proficiency sits around a quarter. Science proficiency in eighth grade reaches about a third, though the testing participation rate for science is substantially lower than for other subjects, suggesting some students may not be taking the science assessment. Overall, the school's proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile compared to other districts in Bronx County.
The data does not include a graduation rate, which would reflect high school outcomes for students completing twelfth grade. Without that measure or recent years of trend data, it is difficult to assess whether middle-grade proficiency challenges persist through high school or whether students gain ground in the upper grades.
State testing data from recent prior years was not available for comparison, so it is unclear whether current results reflect steady performance, improvement, or decline. The school's name indicates a focus on liberal arts, but specific information about course offerings, magnet programs, or specialized curriculum was not provided, so a parent may want to reach out directly to learn what academic pathways the school offers in high school and how the school structures support for students scoring below proficiency in core subjects.
District 10 recently implemented major changes to literacy instruction in elementary schools through the city's NYC Reads mandate, and reinstated academic screening for selective middle and high school admissions based on grades. District 10 itself has experienced enrollment decline and carries excess seat capacity, which may affect school stability and resources going forward.
Housing in the Bronx's Ten-Ten zip area remains modestly priced relative to the state benchmark, and the borough is experiencing substantial new affordable housing development. The neighborhood is served by multiple subway lines and local bus routes, and the broader Bronx is anchored by major institutions including Montefiore Medical Center and cultural anchors like the Botanical Garden and Zoo.
See more original research from School Decision →