Urban Institute of Mathematics

At the Urban Institute of Mathematics (UIM) students are exposed to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) through courses and activities such as web-design, digital arts, math club and computer coding.

The school participates in the Middle School Quality Initiative (MSQI), the city’s program designed to boost reading levels with a longer school day and special activities courses such as a debate team and a class dedicated to reading strategies.

Test scores in English exceed the citywide average. In math, they run average for the city, but exceed the district-wide average.

The Department of Education gave UIM its highest rating of “well-developed” for setting high standards, the quality of its curriculum and how teachers work together, according to the school’s 2015-16 Quality Review. 

Longtime principal, Jennifer Joynt gets some high marks from teachers based on the 2016-17 NYC School Survey. Among the teachers who responded to the survey, 100 percent said Joynt sets high standards for student learning; 96 percent said she communicates a clear vision for their school.

To improve student attendance, UIM has a partnership with East Side House, a community organization that provides additional staffing such as a social worker and advisors to bolster social-emotional support and monitoring of students, according the 2016-17 School Comprehensive Education Plan.

After-school programs are provided onsite by two organizations: Beacon, which provides a range of activities and School’s Out NYC (SONYC), which focuses on STEAM instruction. In addition, the staff offer a range of clubs at the end of the school day such as car modeling, DJ spin, visual arts, robotics, track, musical theater, comedy, cartooning and debate, according the school’s website.

UIM shares a building with Mott Hall Community, a middle school and Bronx Delta, an elementary school. All three schools have access to an onsite dental clinic.

ADMISSIONS: Zoned program. Students residing in the zone who apply are randomly selected. (Laura Zingmond, web reports, July 2017, photo from school website)