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Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers

Grades 9-12 · 411 PEARL STREET · Manhattan

NAIMA COOK, Principal · 212-964-9610

schools.nyc.gov

About

Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers, located in Lower Manhattan adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge and City Hall, offers a career-focused curriculum with an emphasis on business, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The school occupies a distinctive fortress-like brick building. While historically recognized for its quality, recent years have seen mixed perceptions regarding its academic integrity and overall school culture. The school's small enrollment of 133 students is well below the citywide median. A significant concern is the graduation rate of 63%, which falls considerably below the citywide median. Regents pass rates are also notably low in several subjects, particularly Geometry (4.5%) and Algebra I (16.0%). However, the school demonstrates a commitment to post-secondary success, with 64.9% of graduates enrolling in college, which is around the citywide median. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high, with 100% positive responses on recent surveys. Students generally report feeling safe in the school environment, with high favorable rates for safety in hallways and the presence of safety agents. The school features a Ninth Grade Academy designed to provide a nurturing environment and academic support for freshmen, and a Blazer Early College Preparatory Academy, a STEM program emphasizing critical thinking and a rigorous curriculum. Opportunities for internships and mentoring are available through partnerships with corporate and academic organizations, and advanced coursework, including Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) courses, is offered.

Sources (14)

Academics

Coursework, class size, and academic context.

The Ninth Grade Academy (M50B)Low-pressurehigh confidence

The Blazer Preparatory Academy (M50C)High-pushhigh confidence

Attendance rate

98%

Avg class size (general ed)

—

Avg class size (ICT)

—

AP & college-level courses^[1]

Algebra II (Advanced Math)
AP Art History
AP Biology
AP Computer Science A
AP United States History
Other (College Course [Credited])

6 Advanced Placement / college-level courses offered.

Arts offerings^[1]

Digital Media Arts
Art History

Arts and music courses offered.

Outcomes

^[6]

Graduation, test scores, and what happens after senior year.

4-year graduation rate

63%

Enrolled in college within 6 months

65%

College & career ready

31%

Where graduates enroll

4-year college 41%
2-year college 24%
Not enrolled 35%

Share of graduates by destination within 6 months. “Not enrolled” covers graduates not in a tracked postsecondary program (work, military, or unreported).

College entrance exams

SAT Math392

SAT Reading & Writing427

Average score among this school’s test-takers. Few NYC schools report the ACT, so those rows appear only where published.

Regents pass rates

Algebra I16%

English68%

Geometry5%

Global History64%

Living Environment32%

U.S. History50%

Share of students who took each Regents exam this year and scored 65 or higher. Exams with too few test-takers to report are omitted. Bars compare against NYC high schools reporting the same exam.

These figures describe recent graduating classes, not a guarantee for any student. College enrollment counts any postsecondary program within 6 months of graduation, and “college & career ready” is the DOE’s 4-year readiness measure.

Community & climate

Demographics, attendance, school survey results, and DOE quality ratings.

Quality signals

FacultyGoodAI-estimated

Parent survey · overall positive

84%9% response rate

Student survey · overall positive

75%54% response rate

Survey topics

Safety81%city 75%

Conflicts are resolved fairly in this school.66%
I feel safe…outside around this school.87%
I feel safe…traveling between home and this school.84%
I feel safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.93%
I feel safe…in my classes at this school.97%
School Safety Agents promote a safe and respectful environment.92%
At this school students drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, or abuse prescription drugs.76%
At this school students get into physical fights.52%
At this school there is gang activity.82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 75% citywide.

Bullying prevention77%city 59%

At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.67%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other because of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, language/accent, or citizenship/immigration status.84%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other because of their gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.74%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other because of other differences, like different body type or disability.80%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other online (through mobile phones, social media, email, or other forms of electronic communication).82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (77%) is their average, vs 59% citywide.

Emotional support66%city 61%

I know where to go at my school if I need additional support with my mental-health.95%
During this school year, most days I have felt happy when at school.84%
During this school year, most days I have felt safe when at school.90%
During this school year, most days I have felt optimistic when at school.73%
During this school year, most days I have felt bored when at school.17%
During this school year, most days I have felt stressed when at school.40%
During this school year, most days I have felt worried when at school.59%
There is time at school to talk about feelings and emotions.67%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (66%) is their average, vs 61% citywide.

Personal attention65%city 67%

In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…ask if I have everything that I need to succeed in their class.57%
In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…give me specific suggestions about how I can improve my work in class.63%
In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…explain things a different way if I don't understand something in class.63%
In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…support me when I am upset.50%
Adults at this school check in with me frequently about how I’m doing personally.68%
Adults at this school check in with me frequently about how I’m doing academically.83%
I feel like I belong at this school.69%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (65%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.

Academic expectations60%city 66%

The classes at this school prepare me for the next step in my education.76%
In how many of your classes …are you challenged?.34%
In how many of your classes …do your teachers have high expectations for you?.68%
In how many of your classes …are you encouraged to work in small groups?.70%
In how many of your classes …do your teachers want you to become better thinkers, not just memorize things?.75%
In how many of your classes …do you get so focused on learning during class activities that you lose track of time?.34%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (60%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Clear instruction68%city 73%

In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers make learning expectations clear.68%
In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? Class assignments are purposeful in learning the course content.73%
In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? The work I do in class is good preparation for class assignments, projects, and assessments.71%
In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? I learn a lot from feedback on my work.58%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (68%) is their average, vs 73% citywide.

College & career guidance80%city 82%

Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… meet with me to discuss what I plan to do after high school. [Grades 9-12].74%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… encourage me to continue my education after high school. [Grades 9-12].95%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… provide me with information about the college application process. [Grades 9-12].82%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… help me plan for how to meet my future career goals. [Grades 9-12].77%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… encourage students of all races, ethnicities, genders, cultures, and backgrounds to take challenging classes. [Grades 9-12].82%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… advise me to take advanced courses. [Grades 9-12].76%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… help me consider which colleges to apply to. [Grades 9-12].81%
Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… show me options for how to pay for college (scholarship, grants, loans, work study programs, etc.). [Grades 9-12].73%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.

Family outreach89%city 94%

School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.67%
Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.78%
My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.100%
I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.100%
My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Student–teacher trust84%city 82%

There is at least one adult at my school that I can confide in.89%
My teachers are open to students' ideas, suggestions, and comments.90%
My teachers always do what they say they will do.68%
My teachers treat me with respect.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.

Parent–teacher trust76%city 95%

I feel respected by my child's teachers.89%
Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.56%
My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.83%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Show all survey topics

Collaborative Teachers

Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction88%city 85%

My teachers use examples of students’ different races and cultures in their lessons to make learning more meaningful for me.83%
My teachers use examples of students’ different backgrounds and families in their lessons to make learning more meaningful for me.74%
I see a variety of races, ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds positively represented in the curriculum.89%
I see a variety of genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations positively represented in the curriculum.88%
At this school, we have productive conversations about race and racism where I feel my voice is heard.87%
My teachers treat students of different races, cultures, or backgrounds equally.92%
My teachers treat students of different genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations equally.93%
I feel that my teachers respect my culture, background, and identity.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

Supportive Environment

Conflict Resolution82%city 79%

When a conflict arises, school staff use questions to encourage reflection and resolve it.82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.

Effective School Leadership

Inclusive Leadership86%city 93%

The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.83%
The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.88%
The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.83%
I have the opportunity to work with adults at this school to make decisions in important areas that impact my life (e.g. instruction, safety, conflict resolution, etc.).90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 93% citywide.

Strong Family-Community Ties

Parent Involvement in School50%city 63%

Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.62%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.75%
I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.12%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (50%) is their average, vs 63% citywide.

Trust

Parent-Principal Trust100%city 94%

I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.100%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).100%
The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Student-Student Trust77%city 70%

Most students at this school treat each other with respect.72%
Most students treat students from different cultures or backgrounds equally.82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (77%) is their average, vs 70% citywide.

Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2023-2024). Survey topics are the DOE’s framework measures (each the average favorable response across its questions; expand a topic to see them and the citywide average); the dimension scores themselves are no longer in the public data file.^[3]

Operational health

Attendance

98%

Chronic absenteeism

75%

Suspension rate

Teachers^[7]

Teachers with 4+ years' experience

94%

Students per teacher

8:1

Teaching out of certification

20%

Teacher experience and certification from the NYSED School Report Card (2024–25); students per teacher = enrollment ÷ reported teachers. Fewer than 4 years counts as inexperienced.

Student body

Race / ethnicity^[4]

Asian 3%
Black 36%
Hispanic 54%
White 2%
Multiracial 1%

School-level totals; may not sum to 100% due to rounding and small subgroup suppression.

Gender^[4]

Female 39%
Male 61%

Female / male shares as published by the DOE; other gender identities aren’t reported in the source data.

Enrollment

133

Economic Need Index

91%

Free / reduced lunch

91%

English learners

23%

Students with IEPs

15%

Admissions

2 programs. Each has its own admissions method, and each track within a program has its own seats, demand, and priority order.

The Ninth Grade Academy (M50B)

Program code M50B · Cycle 2024-2025

Open enrollmentHumanities & writingScience & mathVisual arts

18 applicants · 51 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.

priority group	Seats	Applicants	Apps / seat
General education	51	18	—
↳ New York City residents	20	20	1.00

Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).

Apply on MySchools →

The Blazer Preparatory Academy (M50C)

Program code M50C · Cycle 2024-2025

Ed OptHumanities & writingScience & mathVisual arts

21 applicants · 30 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.

priority group	Seats	Applicants	Apps / seat
General education	30	21	1.00
↳ New York City residents	20	20	1.00

Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).

Apply on MySchools →

How to read Apps / seat and where the outlook buckets come from is explained in our methodology.

Location & commute

Where the school is and how to get there.

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