Bushwick Ascend Charter School

Bushwick Ascend Charter School, serving grades K-8, is recognized for its strong academic performance, with ELA proficiency at the citywide 75th percentile and math proficiency exceeding it. The school is part of the Ascend network, which emphasizes a "whole child" approach, critical thinking, and anti-racist education through a Responsive Classroom model and inquiry-based learning. It operates in Bushwick across two adjacent sites for its lower and middle schools, housed in renovated facilities. The curriculum integrates arts, dance, physical education, and computer science. While some parents praise the school's support for student advancement, others have expressed concerns regarding inconsistent teaching staff, communication, and transparency, particularly for students with special needs. The school aims to create a joyful learning environment and offers free student meals and mental health support. It is generally well-regarded, ranking among the top public and charter schools in New York.