Bronx Debate Academy (09X644) is a public school in District 9, Claremont-Bathgate, Bronx, serving grades 6–7. In 2026, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 220 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
The one thing to remember
Math rose 15 points to 26% in 2026, one of the largest gains in the city, though it is still below most NYC middle schools, including those with similar economic need.
Reading
31%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
213 students tested
64 students tested
149 students tested
Mathematics
26%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
212 students tested
63 students tested
149 students tested
Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.
New York changed its grades 3–8 tests in 2023. Compare years from 2023 onward with each other, not with earlier years.
Citywide reading scores fell sharply in 2026; NYC Public Schools is reviewing the results. Source: NYC Public Schools
| Year | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 31% | 11% |
| 2026 | 31% | 26% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 93%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.2 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%
Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.2 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%
Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away
| Measure | Bronx Debate Academy | P.S./I.S. 218 Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 31% (0 points vs 2025) | 36% (-2 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 26% (+15 points vs 2025) | 37% (-2 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 220 | 769 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 10.0 | 11.8 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 95% | 91% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 98% | 84% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 93% | 93% |
| Leadership (2026) | 99% | 87% |
| Distance between schools | 0.2 mi | |
Bronx Debate Academy has lower math proficiency than P.S./I.S. 218 Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School (26% vs 37%) and lower reading proficiency (31% vs 36%); 2026 math is lower than most NYC middle schools with similar economic need; 2026 reading is about typical for NYC middle schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
220 students
6–7
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
10.0
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
21%
was 16% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
>95% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: >95% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
30%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 1% White, 79% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 18% Black, 0% multiracial, 45% female, 55% male.
Economic need index: >95% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.
NYC DOE · 2026 survey
NYC DOE · 2024–25
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.
1302 Edward L Grant Highway
Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · School information · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.