Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School (CASA)

Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School (CASA) serves grades 6-8 in the Bronx, offering a small and nurturing environment with a focus on holistic development. The school emphasizes intellectual, social, and emotional growth through project-based learning, Socratic seminars, and performance tasks. It provides a diverse curriculum that includes music, dance, entrepreneurship, computer science, art, drama, and music production, alongside traditional coursework. Parents describe strong communication and care from staff, and students report feeling challenged and supported. While the school aims for a level of rigor to prepare students for high school, state test scores for English Language Arts and Math proficiency are below citywide averages. However, the percentage of students participating in accelerated coursework is above the citywide median, indicating opportunities for advanced studies. The school is housed in the Rosa Parks Educational Complex and is known for its emphasis on S.T.E.A.M. and a "genius hour" for student-led exploration. Student surveys indicate some concerns regarding bullying and safety in common areas.