New Heights Academy Charter School

New Heights Academy Charter School, serving grades 5-12 in Washington Heights, Inwood, and Harlem, was the first charter school established in its district. It is known for its college-preparatory education, emphasizing academic rigor and character development through its "PRIDE" pillars. The school boasts a long-standing 100% college acceptance rate, with graduates attending institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, and NYU. Academically, the school demonstrates strong performance in high school, with a graduation rate of 91% and a college enrollment rate of 77.5%, both well above citywide medians. Middle school ELA and Math proficiency rates are around or above the city median. Regents pass rates are notably high in English, Algebra I & II, Global History, and Languages Other Than English. Parents consistently report very high satisfaction with the school, and students generally feel safe. The school fosters a strong sense of community and family atmosphere, with close relationships between teachers and students. However, some students and alumni have expressed concerns regarding administrative consistency, staff changes, and a strict disciplinary approach. The percentage of students taking accelerated coursework is below the city median, and some student survey results indicate areas for improvement in conflict resolution and bullying prevention. The school occupies a landmarked former ribbon factory and offers Japanese or Italian language instruction.