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Icahn Charter School 5
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Icahn Charter School 5

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Grades K-8 · 1500 PELHAM PARKWAY SOUTH · Bronx

Lawford Cunningham, Principal · 718-828-0034

84X538Charter

About

Icahn Charter School 5, a K-8 charter school in the Bronx, is widely recognized for its strong academic performance and supportive learning environment. The school consistently achieves high proficiency rates in ELA and Math, with scores well above the citywide median, and has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School. It is highly ranked among public middle school teachers and charter K-8 schools in New York and nationally. The curriculum is built on the Core Knowledge sequence, providing students with a rigorous academic program that emphasizes a broad range of subjects, including daily science classes from kindergarten and extensive writing in upper grades. Parents describe a calm and orderly environment where rules are enforced without being harsh, and appreciate the small class sizes and dedicated teachers. The school operates with an extended day and year, and offers additional support through a Targeted Assistance Program. Parent survey results indicate overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding the school's climate and family engagement.

Sources (13)

Academics

State test proficiency rates and acceleration.

ELA proficiency

82%

Math proficiency

83%

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

Attendance rate

—

Avg class size (general ed)

—

Avg class size (ICT)

—

Community & climate

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

Quality signals

FacultyExcellentAI-estimated

Parent survey · overall positive

89%72% response rate

Teacher survey · overall positive

84%88% response rate

Survey topics

Safety90%city 89%
  • My students are safe…outside around this school.93%
  • My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.85%
  • My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.100%
  • My students are safe…in my class(es).93%
  • Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.78%

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

Bullying prevention68%city 42%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.68%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (68%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.

Emotional support67%city 84%
  • How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.64%
  • How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.79%
  • How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.73%
  • How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.50%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (67%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.

Academic expectations76%city 87%
  • In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including English language learners (ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.93%
  • How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.59%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.

College & career guidance89%city 90%
  • It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with guidance on the high school application process.89%
  • It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide families with guidance on the high school application process.89%

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

Family outreach94%city 94%
  • At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.93%
  • At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.96%
  • At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.93%
  • At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.96%
  • School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.90%
  • Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.94%
  • My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.96%
  • I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.95%
  • My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.97%

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

Parent–teacher trust94%city 95%
  • I feel respected by my child's teachers.94%
  • Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.90%
  • My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Show all survey topics

Rigorous Instruction

Strong Core Instruction90%city 91%
  • 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%
  • 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. [Social Studies].83%
  • 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%
  • 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].83%
  • 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].83%
  • 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].86%
  • 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. [Science].86%
  • 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].86%
  • 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].86%
  • 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].57%
  • 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%
  • 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. [ELA].100%
  • 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].92%
  • 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].83%
  • 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%
  • 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. [Math].100%
  • 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].89%
  • 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%
  • 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 (90%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.

Quality of Student Discussion62%city 67%
  • How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.57%
  • How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.64%
  • How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.54%
  • How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.61%
  • How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.75%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (62%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.

Collaborative Teachers

Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction88%city 92%
  • I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.82%
  • I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.96%
  • I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.96%
  • I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.96%
  • I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.96%
  • I am able to...design appropriate instruction that is matched to students' need (e.g. English language learners (ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).76%
  • I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.96%
  • I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.88%
  • I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.92%
  • I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.92%
  • I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.61%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

School Commitment85%city 83%
  • I usually look forward to each working day at this school.81%
  • I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.93%
  • I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (85%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.

Quality of Professional Development81%city 82%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.79%
  • 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.86%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.79%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.

Peer Collaboration75%city 87%
  • At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.96%
  • At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.71%
  • At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.57%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (75%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.

Innovation and Collective Responsibility74%city 79%
  • How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.71%
  • How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.86%
  • How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.68%
  • How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.61%
  • How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (74%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.

Supportive Environment

Classroom Behavior64%city 66%
  • How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.61%
  • How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.64%
  • How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.57%
  • How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.74%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (64%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Effective School Leadership

Program Coherence93%city 83%
  • At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.93%
  • At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.93%
  • At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.93%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.

Inclusive Leadership92%city 95%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.86%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.95%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.96%

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

Instructional Leadership87%city 86%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.100%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.100%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.100%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.86%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.93%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.100%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.89%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.75%
  • How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?.44%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Teacher Influence57%city 66%
  • At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.93%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.29%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.25%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.61%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.78%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (57%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Strong Family-Community Ties

Parent Involvement in School76%city 63%
  • Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.97%
  • Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.96%
  • I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.35%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 63% citywide.

Strong Relationships67%city 90%
  • At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].67%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (67%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Trust

Teacher-Principal Trust91%city 84%
  • I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.93%
  • The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.93%
  • The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.89%
  • I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).93%
  • The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.93%
  • The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.86%
  • The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.92%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.

Parent-Principal Trust89%city 94%
  • I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.87%
  • I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).91%
  • The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.89%

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

Teacher-Teacher Trust82%city 86%
  • Teachers in this school trust each other.82%
  • It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.74%
  • I feel respected by other teachers at this school.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 86% 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

—

Chronic absenteeism

15%

Suspension rate

0%

Teachers[7]

Teachers with 4+ years' experience

77%

Students per teacher

15:1

Teaching out of certification

41%

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 10%
  • Black 55%
  • Hispanic 29%
  • White 2%
  • Multiracial 2%

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

Gender[4]

  • Female 50%
  • Male 50%

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

Enrollment

339

Economic Need Index

64%

Free / reduced lunch

72%

English learners

2%

Students with IEPs

8%

Location & commute

Where the school is and how to get there.

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Data sources

  1. 1.MySchools / NYC DOE: Program descriptions, course, club, and arts offerings.
  2. 3.NYC DOE School Survey: Parent, teacher, and student survey results.
  3. 4.NYC DOE Demographic Snapshot: Enrollment and demographic breakdowns.
  4. 7.NYSED School Report Card: Teacher experience, certification, and pupil-teacher ratio.