Our Insights
What’s Special
High expectations and lots of support for students; strong math and science
The Downside
Space is tight in a shared building
At the Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science (AMS) creative, hands-on lessons and supportive staff help students stay engaged and on track for graduation. Most students arrive in 6th grade and stay through high school.
AMS offers extended day learning for all. Middle school students stay until 5:45 pm, taking their academic courses during regular school hours and participating in activities such as arts, literature studies and academic help in the late afternoon. High school students are not required to stay after school, but many do to participate in clubs such as art, dance, violin, digital music, robotics, and math league. Additional activities and academic help are offered on Saturday.
Academics & Instruction: All students are exposed to challenging work and a lot of classes are led by two teachers. Though many students arrive in 6th grade behind in skills, by 8th grade all take high school level algebra and Living Environment (biology). Each high school student takes at least one Advanced Placement class before graduation.
Across all grades, teachers incorporate discussions and projects into lessons. For instance, in 6th and 7th grade math, students may spend a week charting their dream cross-country trip or planning a party, working out all the calculations involved. In science, 8th-graders head to a nearby park to collect data on its biomass (total mass of living organisms).
In English, high school students examine issues on race, power and privilege by reading books such as Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah. In physics class, they study the science of electrical circuits and race cars and then build and test working models. They experience forces such as gravity, air resistance and drag by taking simulated skydives at an indoor skydiving center.
Throughout their time at AMS, students make overnight camping trips to Black Rock Forest to study science. The school also has longtime partnerships with Exploring the Arts and Bronx Museum of the Arts.
AMS founded and hosts Pi5NY, an annual, citywide math competition for middle school students that draws roughly 1000 participants.
Culture & Environment: Teachers offer an unusual level of support. They send early morning texts to students who struggle with attendance. Before the start of the school year, they visit all 6th-graders at home as well as 9th-graders who are new to the school.
Students participate in advisory groups led by a teacher. Instead of the rushed parent-teacher meetings that take place in most schools, parents meet their child’s advisor three times a year for longer conferences.
Social justice activities are encouraged. Students participate in the school-based leadership groups “Umoja” and “Nia” (meaning "unity" and “purpose" in Swahili) and join organizations such as IntegrateNYC, which advocates for school integration.
Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): There are ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes on each grade and a few self-contained classes in math and English. The school has a separate Horizon program for high school students with autism spectrum disorders. Horizon students start off in self-contained classes in all subjects and, when ready, transition to ICT classes with other AMS students.
ENL teachers visit classrooms to support students learning English.
Building & Facilities: AMS shares its sleek, modern building with Validus Prep Academy and Bronx Mott Hall. The facilities are nice, but space is limited (the principal’s “office” is a purple table in the atrium). High school students in all three schools participate in PSAL sports teams.
College & Career: The Young Women’s Leadership Network's College Bound Initiative funds the college office, which is run by a fulltime counselor and an AMS alumnus. (Laura Zingmond, via interview, November 2023)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryUrban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science (Y29A)
Program Description:
AMS provides a comprehensive, college-preparatory education focusing on rich and engaging classroom activities. Our school welcomes applicants from all neighborhoods, and does not screen applicants based on test scores, disability, or language status.
Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science ASD Horizon Program (Y29H)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Other (College Course [Uncredited]), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Softball, Wrestling
Coed PSAL teams
Double Dutch
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
1595 Bathgate Avenue
Bronx
NY
10457
Buses: Bx11, Bx15, Bx17, Bx21, Bx32, Bx41, Bx41-SBS
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Bathgate Educational Campus with two other schools
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