The top reported proficiency rate is 99% in Math. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Success Academy Charter School-hell's Kitchen
Success Academy Charter School-Hell's Kitchen is a kindergarten-through-fourth-grade charter in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, with a student body of roughly middle-sized elementary enrollment. The school operates as part of the Success Academy network, which serves the city as a citywide charter system rather than as a traditional neighborhood district school.
Academic performance at Hell's Kitchen is exceptionally strong in math and English language arts. In the most recent state testing year, third-grade proficiency in math reached nearly complete mastery, with fourth-grade math proficiency nearly as high. English language arts proficiency was also very strong at both grades, though slightly below math. State testing data for science was not available. The school's proficiency levels place it well above the midpoint among all districts in New York County and in the top quartile of school performance across tested subjects and grades.
The student population is economically mixed. About two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially and ethnically, the school serves a diverse student body with substantial representation across Hispanic, Asian, Black, White, and Native American populations, with no single group constituting a majority. Data on the percentage of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available.
Structurally, families should know that the Hell's Kitchen charter serves only elementary grades. Students do not graduate from this school into a middle or high school on site; those seeking to continue within the Success Academy network move to other schools in the system. Additionally, under a recent reorganization, the school is set to absorb middle-grade students from another Success Academy location beginning in the 2025-26 school year, which signals a shift in the school's composition and grade range over time. That shift is meaningful for families planning a multi-year enrollment.
The broader network reports a sustained four-year college acceptance rate across graduating classes, and admission at the elementary level carries through without re-application as students advance within the system. That pipeline structure is central to many families' decision to enroll here. At the same time, the Success Academy network has been experiencing enrollment declines in recent years and has begun expanding operations outside New York, including into Florida, while consolidating some of its existing New York charters. For parents evaluating long-term stability, this network-level direction is worth monitoring.
Hell's Kitchen itself is part of Manhattan's dense, mixed-use urban landscape, embedded in a walkable neighborhood rather than on a separate campus. The surrounding area is heavily trafficked, with a strong mix of residential and commercial space, high pedestrian activity, and easy access to public transit. Housing values in the zip code are substantially above state and national benchmarks, reflecting the neighborhood's position as a premium Manhattan location. Families relocating to the area or living near the school should expect accordingly elevated housing costs and rents.
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