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Amber Charter School Inwood

School code (DBN) 84M390

Grades K-5 · 532 WEST 215 STREET · Manhattan

Francina Yaw-Costello, Principal

Charter

About

Amber Charter School Inwood serves students in grades K-5 and operates as a charter school. With an enrollment of 177 students, it is smaller than the citywide 25th percentile for enrollment. The school's Economic Need Index is 82.0 percent, which is near the citywide median. The percentage of English Language Learners is 20.0 percent, above the citywide median, while the percentage of students with Individualized Education Programs is 16.0 percent, below the citywide 25th percentile. In terms of academic proficiency for grades 3-8, 51.0 percent of students were proficient in ELA and 54.0 percent were proficient in Math, both near the citywide medians. The school reports a 0.0 percent suspension rate, indicating a low rate of suspensions. Parent survey results from 2025-2026 show high satisfaction, with 95 percent of parents satisfied with their child's education. Parents also report strong relationships with staff and leadership, with 99 percent feeling respected by the principal and 95 percent reporting that their child feels they belong. Additionally, 96 percent of parents believe their child is safe at school, and 100 percent report the school is kept in good physical condition.

Sources (4)

NYC DOE Location Code Generating and Management System (LCGMS) · 2026-27 (export of 2026-08-22)
NYC DOE School Quality Reports and Snapshot, 2024-25 · 2024-25
New York State Education Department School Report Card · 2024-25
NYC School Survey (parent and student responses) · 2025-26

Academics

State test proficiency rates and acceleration.

ELA proficiency

51%

Math proficiency

54%

Proficiency rates are from the Grade 3–8 NYS state test (school-level).

Attendance rate

90%

Avg class size (general ed)

—

Avg class size (ICT)

—

Community & climate

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

Quality signals

FacultyExcellentAI-estimated

NYC School Survey, 2025-26

Parent survey · overall positive

93%64% response rate

Teacher survey · overall positive

85%28% response rate

Survey topics, 2025-26

Safety100%city 93%

Teachers · My students are safe…outside around this school. [Elementary only].100%
Teachers · My students are safe…traveling between home and this school. [Elementary only].100%
Teachers · My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school. [Elementary only].100%
Teachers · My students are safe…in my class(es). [Elementary only].100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 93% citywide.

Bullying prevention90%city 65%

Teachers · At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 65% citywide.

Emotional support84%city 84%

Teachers · How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?80%
Teachers · How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?100%
Teachers · How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?80%
Teachers · How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?80%
Teachers · How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?80%

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

Academic expectations87%city 89%

Teachers · In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including Multilingual Learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.100%
Teachers · This school has well-defined learning expectations for all students.90%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?70%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.

College & career guidance80%city 90%

Teachers · It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with opportunities to learn about different career paths. [Elementary/Middle Only].80%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Family outreach96%city 95%

Teachers · At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.90%
Teachers · At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.100%
Teachers · At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.100%
Teachers · At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.100%
Parents · School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.93%
Parents · Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.96%
Parents · My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.99%
Parents · I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.98%
Parents · My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.98%
Parents · If I suspect my child needs additional learning supports and services, I know the next steps to get support at my school.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Parent–teacher trust96%city 96%

Parents · I feel respected by my child's teachers.99%
Parents · Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.93%
Parents · My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.95%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.

Show all survey topics

Instruction and Performance

Strong Core Instruction95%city 92%

Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [Social Studies].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks, using scaffolding where appropriate. [Social Studies].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Social Studies].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Social Studies].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [Social Studies].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [Science].80%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks, using scaffolding where appropriate. [Science].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Science].80%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Science].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…creating coherent progressions within the standards from previous grades to current grade to build onto previous learning. [Science].80%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [ELA].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks, using scaffolding where appropriate. [ELA].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [ELA].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [ELA].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [ELA].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks, using scaffolding where appropriate. [Math].83%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Math].83%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Math].100%
Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [Math].100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

Family Satisfaction with Child's Education93%city 94%

Parents · My child is progressing in reading the way I would expect.92%
Parents · My child is progressing in math the way I would expect.90%
Parents · My child's school helps me understand what grade-level schoolwork looks like.90%
Parents · How satisfied are you with the following? The education my child has received this year.95%
Parents · How satisfied are you with the following? The overall quality of my child's teachers this year.97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Classroom Behavior93%city 68%

Teachers · How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?100%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?100%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?80%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.

Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction85%city 92%

Teachers · I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.90%
Teachers · I am able to...appropriately modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.90%
Teachers · I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.90%
Teachers · I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.100%
Teachers · I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.70%
Teachers · I am able to...design instruction that is responsive to students’ needs (e.g. Multilingual Learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).90%
Teachers · I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.90%
Teachers · I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.80%
Teachers · I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.80%
Teachers · I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.89%
Teachers · I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.60%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (85%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

Quality of Student Discussion82%city 68%

Teachers · How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?90%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?60%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?100%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?70%
Teachers · How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.

IEP Service Satisfaction75%city 91%

Parents · I am satisfied with the educational planning and Individualized Education Program (IEP) development process at this school. [Families of students with IEPs].75%
Parents · At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].88%
Parents · This school offers a wide enough variety of activities and services (including specialized programs, related services and assistive and adaptive technologies where appropriate) to help improve outcomes for my child. [Families of students with IEPs].63%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (75%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.

Safety and School Climate

Teacher-Teacher Trust100%city 88%

Teachers · Teachers in this school trust each other.100%
Teachers · It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.100%
Teachers · I feel respected by other teachers at this school.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.

Inclusive Leadership96%city 96%

Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.94%
Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.97%
Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.98%
Parents · Language translation and interpretation are readily available to me at all family events at my child’s school.96%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.

Inclusive Learning Environment95%city 96%

Teachers · At this school, students with disabilities are included in all school activities.100%
Teachers · This school educates students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment appropriate.80%
Teachers · School staff treat students of different genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations equally.100%
Teachers · School staff treat students of different races, cultures, or backgrounds equally.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.

Conflict Resolution89%city 90%

Teachers · Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.80%
Parents · Conflicts are resolved fairly at my child’s school. [Grades K-5].97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Peer Collaboration87%city 88%

Teachers · At this school…the principal/program leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.80%
Teachers · At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.90%
Teachers · At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.

Teacher-Principal Trust84%city 86%

Teachers · I feel respected by the principal/program leader at this school.80%
Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.80%
Teachers · The principal/program leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.80%
Teachers · I trust the principal/program leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).80%
Teachers · The principal/program leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.80%
Teachers · The principal/program leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.100%
Teachers · The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.88%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Instructional Leadership83%city 89%

Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.80%
Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...understands how children learn.80%
Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.90%
Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.80%
Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.90%
Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.80%
Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.80%
Teachers · The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.80%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (83%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.

Program Coherence80%city 85%

Teachers · At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.80%
Teachers · At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.70%
Teachers · At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

School Commitment80%city 85%

Teachers · I usually look forward to each working day at this school.80%
Teachers · I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.80%
Teachers · I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.80%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

Innovation and Collective Responsibility76%city 81%

Teachers · How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?90%
Teachers · How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?90%
Teachers · How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?70%
Teachers · How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?50%
Teachers · How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?80%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 81% citywide.

Quality of Professional Development73%city 85%

Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.70%
Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...Included opportunities to engage in inquiry-based, professional collaboration with peers and/or mentors from other schools.78%
Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.70%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (73%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

Teacher Influence40%city 68%

Teachers · At this school…the principal/program leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.90%
Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?30%
Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?0%
Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?10%
Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?70%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (40%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.

Relationships with Families

Parent-Principal Trust99%city 96%

Parents · I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.99%
Parents · I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).98%
Parents · The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.99%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.

Parent Involvement in School93%city 91%

Parents · Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?95%
Parents · Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?100%
Parents · I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.79%
Parents · During the school year, have you...attended a school meeting, school event, or parent-teacher conference (virtually or in-person)?98%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.

School Description

School Facilities and Services87%city 88%

Teachers · This school is kept clean.90%
Teachers · This school is kept in good physical condition.70%
Teachers · Physical repairs to the school building are completed in a timely manner.80%
Parents · This school is kept clean.99%
Parents · This school is kept in good physical condition.100%
Parents · My child's school provides me information about transportation options (e.g. Metrocard and busing).89%
Parents · I am satisfied with my child’s school bus transportation service this year.80%
Parents · I am satisfied with the meal options provided at my child’s school.87%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.

Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2025-2026). 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

90%

Chronic absenteeism

31%

Suspension rate

Teachers^[7]

Teachers with 4+ years' experience

42%

Students per teacher

15:1

Teaching out of certification

50%

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 1%
Black 18%
Hispanic 78%
White 3%
Multiracial 1%

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

Gender^[4]

Female 60%
Male 40%

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

Enrollment

177

Economic Need Index

82%

Free / reduced lunch

85%

English learners

20%

Students with IEPs

16%

Financials

^[8]

What this school has to spend, and what it spends it on. Spending is not a measure of quality. Schools serving more students with higher needs receive more money.

Charter schools manage their own budgets rather than receiving a school allocation from the DOE, so the staffing and supplies breakdown the DOE publishes for district schools is not published for this school.

Spending

Total spend

$8.6MStudents: 179

17th percentile citywide

Total spend per student

$47,800

91st percentile citywide · city median $33,357

Location & commute

Where the school is and how to get there.

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