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Our Insights

What’s Special

Challenges top students, supports kids who need it

The Downside

Some discipline problems

Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women (UAI), a small middle and high school near Borough Halls transportation hub, draws girls from across Brooklyn. It offers a focused track to college without a lot of frills. Many students enter with low reading, writing and math skills, but there are opportunities for high-achievers, including a healthy selection of math courses, an engineering class at nearby NYU Tandon School of Engineering and Advanced Placement Literature.

All 8th graders are offered Regents-level math and science classes. An afterschool program offers Girls Who Code, Green Team, LEGO League and other math and science related activities.

Class size is an average of 25 students and many classrooms have two teachers; a 9th grade algebra class had 13 children at the time of our visit, and some of the upper grades had more than 25 because the older girls are able to handle it, said Principal Kiri Soares, who has been at the school since its founding. The school has three full-time social workers, one guidance counselor, two part-time social workers and interns from Hunter College. Advisors meet with 6th and 9th graders two to three times a week.

During our visit, children worked in small groups on activities such as graphing or peer editing. In an 8th grade English class, a patient teacher led a discussion of the Langston Hughes poem, I, Too, allowing children time to reach the conclusion that the poem was written from the viewpoint of an African-American slave. I think he overcomes, a girl said, of the slave narrator. He doesnt let that define him.

A course called Family Life and Sexuality Education helps students understand puberty and make healthy choices. In a weekly Power Group, a counselor or social worker helps students adjust to middle school, learn social skills and address other teen issues. In an after school Job Club students open savings accounts, and learn about career options and managing money.

There are few arts during the day, just visual art and movement, however, many middle school students stay after school for theater, guitar, chorus, sports, debate, Step classes and more. High school students tend to branch out into job shadowing, SAT prep, College Now classes, peer leadership and other options.

Nearly 90 percent of graduates are admitted to private and public two- and four-year colleges. This is a feat, given that about one-third of the girls leave after 8th grade and more than 25 of the incoming 9th graders read at about a 2nd grade level, the reading teacher said. She works with them up to three times a week.

The school has grappled with issues of discipline, order and attendance. On the day of our visit, a student spoke rudely about the principal to a visitor, yet the majority of the girls were calmly working together in class. To instill good habits, teachers insist on nonverbal cues that show interest, such as sitting up, and nodding in response to teacher directions.

The school shares the renovated former family court building with Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice and a District 75 school for children with disabilities. Girls in grades 7 to 12 are allowed to go out for lunch with parent permission.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The building is handicapped accessible. There are team-teaching classes on every grade.(Lydie Raschka, April 2017)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average
Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
88%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
58%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
85%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
2% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
71%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
12.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
27%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
48%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
100%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
94%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
436
Asian
10%
Black
55%
Hispanic
17%
White
13%
Other
6%
Free or reduced priced lunch
84%
Students with disabilities
17%
English language learners
7%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
81%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
67%
45% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
82%
85% Citywide Average
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
100%
80% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

The Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science (L54A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Rigorous course work in science, computer technology, engineering, and math. Supportive classes in social emotional skill development and learning experiences with partner organizations and local colleges to prepare students for college and beyond.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Seminar, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Uncredited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science)

Boys PSAL teams

Basketball, Soccer

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

283 Adams Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

Trains: 2 Line, 3 Line, 4 Line, 5 Line, R Line to Borough Hall; A Line, C Line, F Line to Jay St - Borough Hall; B Line, Q Line to DeKalb Av; G Line to Hoyt & Schermerhorn; J Line, Z Line to High St

Buses: B103, B25, B26, B38, B41, B45, B52, B54, B57, B61, B62, B63, B65, B67, B69


Contact

Principal: Kiri Soares

Parent Coordinator: Aisha Huggins

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Adams Street Educational Campus with one other school

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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