M.S. 390

M.S. 390 in the Bronx, serving grades 5-8, is known for its strong commitment to student social-emotional development, utilizing programs like Leader in Me, peer mediation, and restorative justice practices. The school fosters excellent relationships with families, a strength reflected in overwhelmingly positive parent survey responses. It boasts significant technological resources, including 1:1 Apple devices and virtual reality tools, and offers a wide array of extracurricular activities such as chess, robotics, digital arts, music, dance, and various sports. The school provides a Spanish dual language program, along with dedicated Pre-Regents, Regents, and Specialized High School Prep programs, and partnerships with colleges to promote readiness for higher education. However, academic proficiency in both ELA and Math is a concern, falling below the citywide 25th percentile and state averages, with external rankings placing the school in the lower quartiles statewide. Student surveys also highlight challenges with school climate, including concerns about bullying, feeling unsafe in common areas, and physical altercations, despite efforts to improve the atmosphere. Parents often commend the supportive staff and diverse program offerings, while some express reservations about the overall school environment. The school occupies a sprawling complex that includes a main building constructed in 1938 and a modern addition from the 1980s, and it shares its facilities with other schools, including those with special education programs, and features an on-site health clinic.