Community School for Social Justice

The Community School for Social Justice is a small high school in the Bronx, serving approximately 187 students in grades 9-12. It is distinguished as the only NYC Outward Bound School in the Bronx, integrating character development, community building, and experiential learning, including overnight camping and team-building through a unique four-year "Family Group" advisory system. The school is also a member of the NY Performance Standards Consortium, meaning students complete Performance-Based Assessment Tasks (PBATs) involving deep inquiry projects and thesis defense in lieu of some Regents exams. Parents and students consistently describe a strong sense of community and a family-like environment where staff are genuinely caring and supportive of student well-being. Teachers are noted for being friendly, engaging, and providing strong support, including college advisory and opportunities like College Now. The school's college enrollment rate of 70% is a strength, performing above the citywide median. Student surveys indicate a positive school climate, with high favorable ratings for cleanliness, conflict resolution, and overall safety. While the school's four-year graduation rate of 77% is a concern, falling well below the citywide 25th percentile, and its English Regents pass rate of 54.1% is below the typical passing score, the school is recognized for its focus on social activism, critical thinking, and leadership development through project-based learning.