Below Average
#4329 of 4,739 schools in NY
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz
Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8
681 KELLY ST, Bronx, NY 10455
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bronx
#408 of 450
public schools
New York middle schools
#704 of 785
In district
#47 of 51
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz is a middle school located in the Bronx, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 312 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student thrive. MS 302 has 31 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting their students' academic journey.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 1.9 out of 10 and its state ranking is 4721 out of 4758 schools in New York, indicating room for improvement in academic performance. In ELA/Reading, 24% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 12% meet the proficiency standards. Despite these challenges, MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz is situated within a vibrant city setting where it can draw on community resources to enhance its educational offerings.
The school serves as an integral part of the local neighborhood, providing students with opportunities to engage in urban life and benefit from the diverse cultural environment around them.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz — Students at MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.5/10.
How MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz Compares
See how MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
681 KELLY ST, Bronx, NY 10455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ACADEMY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTH BRONX EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTH BRONX ACADEMY FOR APPLIED MEDIA (rated 4.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GIRLS PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE BRONX Bronx | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| PS 130 ABRAM STEVENS HEWITT Bronx | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| PS 62 INOCENSIO CASANOVA Bronx | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTH BRONX EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| PS 161 JUAN PONCE DE LEON SCHOOL Bronx | 0.2 mi | 5.1 |
| ST ANSELM PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Bronx | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| LONGWOOD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bronx | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| SOUTH BRONX ACADEMY FOR APPLIED MEDIA Bronx | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| ACADEMY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Bronx | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| JILL CHAIFETZ TRANSFER HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| PS 17 Bronx | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| PS 25 BILINGUAL SCHOOL Bronx | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| LONGWOOD ACADEMY OF DISCOVERY (THE) Bronx | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| NEW VISIONS CHTR HS-ADV MA/SCI II Bronx | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| NEW VISIONS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE HUMANITIES II Bronx | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| STOREFRONT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 3.7 |
| PS 5 PORT MORRIS Bronx | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| MOTT HAVEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| HERO HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$36,701
Median Home Value
$348,700
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
Population
42,940
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
10.3%
Avg Commute
40.8 min
Poverty Rate
33%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz has a median household income of $36,701. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $348,700, with a median rent of $1,130/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 41 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 |
|---|---|
| DEPEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Depew, NY | 4.2 |
| EAST NEW YORK MIDDLE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Brooklyn, NY | 4.2 |
| FRANKLIN LOWER SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 4.2 |
| J WILLIAM LEARY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Massena, NY | 4.2 |
| KNOWLEDGE AND POWER PREPARATORY ACADEMY VI Far Rockaway, NY | 4.2 |
| MIDDLE SCHOOL 322 New York, NY | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz
What grades does MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz serve?
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz?
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz?
The student-teacher ratio at MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz rank in NY?
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz is ranked #4329 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz's MySchoolScout rating?
MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz has a composite rating of 4.2 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 MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz has 11.7% math proficiency and 23.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz a charter school?
No, MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz a Title I school?
No, MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz?
96.2% of students at MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bronx County
- Phone
- (718) 901-3520
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8- District Enrollment
- 24,000
- Schools in District
- 52
- District Rank
- #47 of 51
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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