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J.H.S. 118 William W. Niles

Grades: 6-8
577 East 179th Street
Bronx NY 10457
Phone: 718-584-2330

Our Insights

What’s Special

Two programs for high achievers; ceramics studio

The Downside

Limited foreign language instruction; no outdoor recess

MS 118, the William Niles School, is a large, neighborhood school with a robust arts program and a solid record of sending top students to competitive high schools, both public and private. It has three academies: a zoned program called Excellence and two selective programs, PACE and Spectrum, that attract high-achieving students from across Districts 9 and 10.

The vibe throughout the school is calm and friendly. Teachers and staff seem to be tolerant of normal, tween behavior: kids can fidget and are allowed to have a bad day when they struggle to focus. All students participate in advisory sessions that address topics ranging from self-awareness and relationships to community and world matters. Each advisor serves as a family's contact person for most school matters involving their child. Students in need of greater support can get counseling through the onsite mental health clinic run by Astor Services for Children and Families.

Each academy has its own dedicated space, director, assistant principal, and staff for academic classes. Arts classes, including visual arts, theater, dance and ceramics (the ceramics studio is equipped with several kilns), serve a mix of students from all three academies.

PACE and Spectrum offer Regents-level algebra, Earth Science, and U.S History. PACE has a more traditional feel. In some classes we observed, students sat in rows and teachers delivered lessons from the front of the room. Spectrum has more group work and student-led discussions. Spectrum is a good fit for high achievers who are stronger in some skills than others because its structure allows for teachers to tailor assignments to the individual strengths of a student, according to former Principal Giulia Cox. For instance, students strong in math may tackle problems independently or with a few peers, while the teacher works with a group of students who need extra support.

PACE and Spectrum academies offer one year of Mandarin Chinese taught in the 8th grade.

Excellence and PACE students participate in Shakespeare in Lincoln Center, where a teaching artist works with students in their English classes to study and stage a Shakespearean play. Spectrum students participate in a Mock Trial, where students study and prepare all aspects of a legal case in class and then stage a mock trial of it in a Bronx courthouse.

Excellence has a transitional bilingual program for native Spanish speakers.

The cafeteria in the century-old building is small and lunchtime is spread out over five periods beginning at 10:30 am. There is no outdoor recess.

One huge upside: MS 118 administers the SHSAT (Specialized High School Admissions Test) and Bard High Schools admissions exam onsite during regular school hours. PACE and Spectrum have a strong record of sending graduates to the city's top schools including specialized high schools and selective schools like Bard and NEST+m.

Prep for the SHSAT and TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools) is offered after school and is open to all students. There are some additional activities such as chess, debate, theater and sports. After-school classes in algebra are offered to select 8th graders in Excellence.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Excellence has Integrated Co-Teaching and self-contained classrooms including one for bilingual students. PACE has a small, self-contained class on each grade; Spectrum has an ICT class on each grade.

ADMISSIONS: Open. Priority to residents of the middle school zone, then District 10. (Laura Zingmond, May 2017).

 

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School Stats

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?
69%
78% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
69%
58% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
78%
84% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
4% 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?
80%
79% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
0.2

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?
36%
46% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
49%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
62%
39% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
622
Asian
18%
Black
17%
Hispanic
58%
White
5%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
93%
Students with disabilities
21%
English language learners
15%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
86%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
51%
38% 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 New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
2%
15% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Tremont (District 10)
Buses: Bx12, Bx15, Bx17, Bx19, Bx36, Bx40, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, Bx42, Bx9

Contact

Principal
Carmen Felix
Parent Coordinator
Steven Cooper

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.
Uniforms required?
No
Metal detectors?
No

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

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