New Design Middle School (05M514) is a public school in District 5, Central Harlem North-Polo Grounds, Manhattan, serving grades 6–8. In 2026, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 87 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
The one thing to remember
2026 math proficiency is 25%, lower than most NYC middle schools, including those with similar economic need — 52% of students here are in special education; general education students scored 31% in math (2026).
Also worth knowing: Math: 25% in 2026, up 18 points from 2025.
98%
of parents trust the principal
98%
trust their child's teachers
96%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 84% of families answered.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.41 · 27th percentile
The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.
View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality SnapshotReading
24%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
87 students tested
49 students tested
38 students tested
Mathematics
25%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
88 students tested
49 students tested
39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21% | 11% |
| 2019 | 9% | 9% |
| 2022 | 28% | 1% |
| 2023 | 33% | 17% |
| 2024 | 21% | 13% |
| 2025 | 30% | 7% |
| 2026 | 24% | 25% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 51%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 80%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 90%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 91%
Economic need index: >95%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 80%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 51%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 90%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 91%
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.4 mi away
| Measure | New Design Middle School | Hamilton Grange Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 24% (-6 points vs 2025) | 41% (+7 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 25% (+18 points vs 2025) | 41% (+3 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 87 | 229 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 4.9 | 7.5 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 96% | 94% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 98% | 97% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 98% | 98% |
| Leadership (2026) | 98% | 96% |
| Distance between schools | 0.3 mi | |
New Design Middle School has lower reading proficiency than Hamilton Grange Middle School (24% vs 41%) and lower math proficiency (25% vs 41%); 2026 reading is lower than most NYC middle schools with similar economic need; 2026 math is lower than most NYC middle schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
87 students
6–8 · down 42 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
4.9
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
14%
was 30% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
91% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 91% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
52%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 2% White, 61% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 34% Black, 0% multiracial, 33% female, 67% male.
Economic need index: 91% — 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.
250 West 127 Street
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.