Samara Community School

Samara Community School in the Bronx serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade, fostering a positive and growing community known for its dual-language instruction in English and Spanish. The school emphasizes project-based learning, incorporating field trips, gardening, and hands-on investigations into its curriculum, with themes ranging from pollinators in kindergarten to participatory budgeting in fifth grade. Academically, the school demonstrates solid performance, with 60% of students achieving proficiency in ELA and 67% in Math, both figures being above the citywide median for elementary schools. Parents express high satisfaction, describing a welcoming environment and praising the dual language program. The faculty is highly regarded, with teachers reporting strong satisfaction with leadership and a high likelihood of recommending the school to other families. The school also provides robust support for diverse learners, including specialized programs for students with autism and strong outcomes for English Language Learners and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. While the school occupies a modern building, it features a small indoor exercise room and a 4th-floor playground instead of a full gymnasium.