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Very Good

#673 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 14% in state

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

High School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5

509 W 129TH ST, New York, NY 10027

Enrollment

219

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New York

#72 of 346

public schools

New York high schools

#154 of 1,160

In district

#6 of 28

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts is a high school in New York City that offers a unique blend of academic rigor and arts education. Located at 509 W 129TH ST, it serves students from ninth to twelfth grade with an enrollment of 219 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1. The school boasts 25 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to providing a well-rounded education focused on both academic achievement and artistic development.

Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks at #1553 among 4758 schools in New York State, placing it in the 67th percentile overall. Students perform particularly well in ELA/Reading with 88% proficient or above, while Math proficiency stands at 74%. These scores suggest that students are excelling in English and have room for improvement in math.

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts is situated in a bustling city setting where cultural opportunities abound. The vibrant community around the school provides a rich environment for students to engage with the arts beyond the classroom, fostering creativity and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+31.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation71.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts — Students at Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 74.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 88.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
77%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
82%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts Compares

See how Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
86th percentile in NY
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Performance Trends

Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 82% (2021).

Location

509 W 129TH ST, New York, NY 10027

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, A PHILIP RANDOLPH CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.5 mi
School Distance Rating
URBAN ASSEMBLY ACADEMY FOR FUTURE LEADERS New York 0.0 mi 6.8
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 6 New York 0.1 mi 4.7
PS 129 JOHN H FINLEY New York 0.2 mi 8.5
SEED HARLEM New York 0.2 mi 5.5
TEACHERS COLLEGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.9
PS 161 PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS New York 0.2 mi 6.9
KIPP STAR COLLEGE PREP CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 4.2
NEW DESIGN MIDDLE SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.2
KIPP INFINITY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 6.9
PS 125 RALPH BUNCHE New York 0.3 mi 6.3
COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 8.1
PS 36 MARGARET DOUGLAS New York 0.3 mi 7.4
A PHILIP RANDOLPH CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 5.0
PS 192 JACOB H SCHIFF New York 0.4 mi 7.7
HAMILTON GRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 5.0
KIPP BEYOND CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 5.3
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 3.9
PS 154 HARRIET TUBMAN New York 0.5 mi 5.7
NEW YORK FRENCH-AMERICAN CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.5 mi 6.9
PS 180 HUGO NEWMAN New York 0.5 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10027 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,220

Median Home Value

$915,000

Median Rent

$1,609/mo

Population

65,068

College Educated

51.8%

Homeownership

15.7%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

23.7%

Median Age

32.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts has a median household income of $64,220. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $915,000, with a median rent of $1,609/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
EAGLE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN OF HARLEM New York, NY 7.9
HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL OF LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES New York, NY 7.9
HUMANITIES PREPARATORY ACADEMY New York, NY 7.9
PELHAM LAB HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.9
RAMAZ UPPER SCHOOL New York, NY 7.9
MORRISVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Morrisville, NY 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

What grades does Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts serve?

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts?

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts has an enrollment of approximately 219 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts rank in NY?

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts is ranked #673 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts has 74.5% math proficiency and 88.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts a charter school?

No, Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts a Title I school?

No, Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts?

90.0% of students at Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

Explore More Schools

All schools in New York, NY Schools in NY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 District 20 nearby schools
11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
97 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,049/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
New York County
Phone
(212) 543-4460
Data Year
2023–2024

Resources & Links

School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
District Enrollment
8,945
Schools in District
28
District Rank
#6 of 28

Other Schools in This District

PS 133 FRED R MOORE 9.5 PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE 9.4 PS 129 JOHN H FINLEY 8.5 PS 46 ARTHUR TAPPAN 8.3 COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL 8.1

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
Data sources
NCES CCDSY 2022-23NY EDFACTS2020-21NCES EdFacts2019–2022Census ACS2019-2023AI descriptionMySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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