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Average

#2912 of 4,742 schools in NY

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership

Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12

2055 MAPES AVE, Bronx, NY 10460

Enrollment

245

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#2,912 of 4,742

In Bronx

#224 of 452

public schools

In district

#16 of 46

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership

5.7/10

Middle School in Bronx · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy III

5.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

School of Science and Applied Learning (the)

5.5/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership is a public middle school in Bronx, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12. MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership serves approximately 245 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,912 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • NY avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 8.2:1 students to teachers, MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

62% of students at MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-20.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Chronic Absenteeism62%

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership — Students at MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
33.6% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 34.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
57.2% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
69%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
31%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
14%
ELA
11%
2013
Math
18%
ELA
12%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
25.5%
ELA
48.3%
2022
Math
19.2%
ELA
41.8%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership Compares

See how MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
39th percentile in NY
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.0%

Location

2055 MAPES AVE, Bronx, NY 10460

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. JHS 118 WILLIAM W NILES (rated 6.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is KNOWLEDGE AND POWER PREPARATORY ACADEMY III (rated 5.4/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, IS 318 MATH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY THROUGH ARTS (rated 4.2/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10460 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,067

Median Home Value

$589,300

Median Rent

$1,332/mo

Population

61,101

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

10.7%

Avg Commute

47 min

Poverty Rate

33.9%

Median Age

34.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BRONX ALLIANCE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bronx, NY 5.7
CATTARAUGUS-LITTLE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Cattaraugus, NY 5.7
IS 171 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Brooklyn, NY 5.7
IS 229 ROLAND PATTERSON Bronx, NY 5.7
LINDEN SDA SCHOOL Laurelton, NY 5.7
LIVERPOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL Liverpool, NY 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership

What grades does MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership serve?

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership?

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership?

The student-teacher ratio at MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership rank in NY?

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership ranks #2,912 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership's MySchoolScout rating?

MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership?

Based on loaded state assessment records, MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership a charter school?

No, MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership a Title I school?

No, MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership?

94.7% of students at MS 129 Academy for Independent Learning and Leadership 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

Walk Score
93 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
96 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Bronx County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.0%

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