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Our Insights

What’s Special

Students and teachers feel safe and respected

The Downside

Lots of kids don’t graduate on time; metal detectors

The International School for Liberal Arts (ISLA) is a safe, well-run 6th−12th grade school designed to offer Spanish-speaking teens a gentle transition to English. When they first arrive, children are taught mostly in Spanish. More English is offered each month, and the goal is for the children to be fluent in English as soon as possible.

Children enter the school throughout the year. Some are newly arrived in the country. Many face challenges; in some cases, their families do not have a fixed, regular or adequate night residence, according to the yearly plan.  “We constantly get new students,” said principal Francine Cruz, adding that the children are “eager to do the best they can and help their families.” The school is safe and orderly, according to school surveys, and most teachers would recommend it to other families. A special education teacher said, “Kids come in with a strong moral foundation.”

The attendance rate is good. “The big challenge,” Cruz said, “is that [the students are] learning the language and meeting their graduation requirements” at the same time.

Most children enter with low reading and math skills. Some have had interrupted formal education. The school divides instruction into beginning, intermediate and advanced groups so children can progress at a comfortable pace, Cruz said.

Montefiore Hospital provides medical, social, educational and mental health services. ISLA offers English classes and social support to parents.

After school, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) serves a hot meal and provides activities for middle school kids until 7:30 pm, following ISLA's academic tutoring program. KHCC classes include robotics, dance, drama and photography.

The school has an art teacher and various resident artists, including one who taught Flamenco dance, and a theater program artist, according to the arts in schools report. Children take trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Jewish Museum.

About three-quarters of ISLA students graduate on time, a number that is low but inching up, according to Cruz, but most students are not prepared to do college-level work. ISLA has options for high-achievers, including advanced placement courses in biology, calculus and Spanish, and college classes.

Most parents want their children to stay nearby for college and work, Cruz said, but the school tries to broaden horizons by taking kids to visit colleges in Albany, New York, while also supporting graduates who plan to work or join the military. Cruz said the staff inform students about areas of job growth, such as in home health care and nursing.

Founded in 2005, ISLA is one of five small schools housed in the Walton Educational Campus. The other schools in the building are: Discovery, Kingsbridge International, Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music and the High School for Teaching and the Professions. The building has metal detectors.

Sports teams are campus-wide. The schools share three gymnasiums. Children may earn their lifeguard certificate in the building’s pool. (Lydie Raschka, June 2018)

 

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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?
82%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
50%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
89%
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?
84%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
2.6

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?
17%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
16%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
28%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
75%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
479
Asian
0%
Black
0%
Hispanic
100%
White
0%
Other
0%
Free or reduced priced lunch
100%
Students with disabilities
9%
English language learners
72%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
89%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
33%
45% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No
This school offers Transitional Bilingual Education in Spanish.

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
74%
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?
4%
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

International School for Liberal Arts (Y24A)

Admissions Method: Screened: Language

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, AP United States Government and Politics, Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Handball, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Bowling, Outdoor Track, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Volleyball

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

2780 Reservoir Avenue
Bronx NY 10468

Trains: 4 Line to Kingsbridge Rd

Buses: Bx1, Bx10, Bx12, Bx12-SBS, Bx2, Bx22, Bx25, Bx26, Bx28, Bx3, Bx32, Bx34, Bx38, Bx9, BxM3, BxM4


Contact

Principal: Gicel Adon

Parent Coordinator: Angelica Lopez

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Walton Educational Campus with four other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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