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#3017 of 4,739 schools in NY

Democracy Preparatory Charter School

High School · DEMOCRACY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL

2230 5TH AVE, New York, NY 10037

Charter

Enrollment

616

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New York

#248 of 346

public schools

New York high schools

#811 of 1,160

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Democracy Preparatory Charter School

Democracy Preparatory Charter School serves 616 students in grades 6-12 in New York City's Harlem neighborhood. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 and 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides relatively small class sizes that can foster more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #906 out of 4,758 schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile.

Students show particularly strong results in English Language Arts, with 64% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 43% of students meeting proficiency standards. As a charter school, Democracy Prep operates with additional flexibility in curriculum and instruction while serving the public.

The school's academic score of 9.7 out of 10 reflects its commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success, as suggested by its name's emphasis on democratic preparation and civic engagement. Located at 2230 5th Avenue in ZIP code 10037, the school serves a diverse urban community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $50,177. The school operates within New York City's vibrant educational landscape, offering families an alternative public school option in this historically significant Manhattan neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

Democracy Preparatory Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-27.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Math vs. State Avg+57.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency95%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+46.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation27.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,943

Democracy Preparatory Charter School — Students at Democracy Preparatory Charter School score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
33.6%
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
57.2%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
29.4%
ELA
55.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.2/10.

How Democracy Preparatory Charter School Compares

See how Democracy Preparatory Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in NY
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

2230 5TH AVE, New York, NY 10037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Democracy Preparatory Charter School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THURGOOD MARSHALL ACADEMY FOR LEARNING & SOCIAL CHANGE (rated 7.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Bronx), which scores notably higher. Additionally, URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL COMMERCE (THE) (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.5 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 197 JOHN B RUSSWURM New York 0.0 mi 7.4
PS 133 FRED R MOORE New York 0.3 mi 9.5
FELLOWSHIP OF LEARNING SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi
GLOBAL COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 5.1
PS 175 HENRY H GARNET New York 0.3 mi 5.7
OGORMAN GARDEN MONTESSORI New York 0.3 mi
HARLEM RENAISSANCE HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 3.6
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL COMMERCE (THE) New York 0.4 mi 6.6
THURGOOD MARSHALL ACADEMY FOR LEARNING & SOCIAL CHANGE New York 0.4 mi 7.1
DEMOCRACY PREP HARLEM CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 4.4
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY II CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.5 mi 4.4
ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL New York 0.5 mi 6.9
PS 30 HERNANDEZ/HUGHES New York 0.5 mi 6.1
PS 138 New York 0.5 mi
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2 New York 0.5 mi 4.7
HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES HIGH SCHOOL Bronx 0.4 mi 7.0
COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Bronx 0.4 mi 5.9
PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE New York 0.4 mi 9.4
ST. HOPE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 3.1
FAMILY LIFE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL III Bronx 0.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,250

Median Rent

$1,406/mo

Population

18,333

College Educated

43.2%

Homeownership

8.9%

Avg Commute

39.5 min

Poverty Rate

27.9%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Democracy Preparatory Charter School has a median household income of $51,250. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 27.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CITY COLLEGE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS New York, NY 5.8
CRISTO REY NEW YORK HIGH SCHOOL New York, NY 5.8
DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 5.8
ELLENVILLE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Ellenville, NY 5.8
JOHN C BIRDLEBOUGH HIGH SCHOOL Phoenix, NY 5.8
LA SALLE INSTITUTE Troy, NY 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Democracy Preparatory Charter School

What grades does Democracy Preparatory Charter School serve?

Democracy Preparatory Charter School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Democracy Preparatory Charter School?

Democracy Preparatory Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 616 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Democracy Preparatory Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Democracy Preparatory Charter School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Democracy Preparatory Charter School rank in NY?

Democracy Preparatory Charter School is ranked #3017 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Democracy Preparatory Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Democracy Preparatory Charter School has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Democracy Preparatory Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Democracy Preparatory Charter School has 43.0% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Democracy Preparatory Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Democracy Preparatory Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Democracy Preparatory Charter School a Title I school?

No, Democracy Preparatory Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Democracy Preparatory Charter School?

81.8% of students at Democracy Preparatory Charter School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,049/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
New York County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DEMOCRACY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
District Enrollment
616
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,362
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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