Original Research by School Decision on Ps 12 Lewis and Clark School
PS 12 Lewis and Clark School is a special education school serving grades 6 through 12 in the Bronx, operated by District 75, the citywide system for students with significant disabilities and specialized needs. The school enrolls a small population, the vast majority of whom are Latino or Black, with a substantial share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
Because this is a specialized school within District 75, state standardized testing and graduation rate data do not apply in the usual way. These schools serve students whose IEPs call for alternative curricula, life-skills instruction, or functional academics rather than grade-level state assessments. What matters here instead is the school's role in the continuum of District 75 placements and the supports it offers.
The Bronx faces significant seat shortages in District 75 programming. In the most recent data, District 9 (which covers parts of the Bronx) had among the largest deficits in special class seats at both elementary and high school levels. The city has been expanding capacity by opening new programs and sites across multiple boroughs, and new schools opening in fall 2026 in the Bronx aim to reduce the pressure on placement and commute distances. Parents seeking a District 75 seat in the Bronx should expect this ongoing growth, which may open more local options over time, though shortages in the borough persist.
District 75 recently standardized its literacy approach across schools by adopting the NYC Reads curriculum, which grounds reading instruction in phonics and the science of reading while remaining flexible enough to accommodate the wide range of student needs across the district. For families at PS 12, this means more consistent, evidence-based reading instruction and easier continuity if a student changes schools within the system.
The school's location on Tratman Avenue places it in the eastern Bronx, in a densely populated urban borough with varied neighborhood character. The Bronx is walkable and well served by transit, including subway and bus lines, with a major expansion of Metro-North access planned through the Penn Access Project. The neighborhood is in the midst of substantial affordable housing development, reflecting strong recent growth in residential investment across the borough.
Families considering PS 12 should understand it as a specialized placement within a district designed for students with significant disabilities. Success here depends on the alignment between a student's IEP needs and the school's curriculum, teaching approach, and support services. A parent may want to discuss with the school directly what its instructional models are, what related services (speech, occupational therapy, counseling) it provides, and how it handles transitions to post-secondary planning, including vocational or community-based work.
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