MS 129 ACADEMY FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP

2055 MAPES AVE
BRONX, NY 10460

www.ms129.net

230 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

MS 129, known as the Academy of Independent Learning and Leadership, is a public middle school located in the Tremont section of the Bronx, New York. Serving students in grades 6 through 8, the school places a strong emphasis on fostering student autonomy and personal responsibility. Its core mission is built around the idea that students should take an active role in their education, preparing them not just for high school, but to become self-directed learners and capable citizens within their community.

The school’s curriculum is designed to balance academic rigor with leadership development, encouraging students to think critically and solve problems independently. By integrating "independent learning" into its daily culture, MS 129 aims to provide a supportive environment where students are challenged to advocate for themselves and develop the confidence necessary to lead. Located on Mapes Avenue, the school serves as a central hub for local families, working to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and the real-world skills required for future success in a diverse and evolving academic landscape.

230

Total Students

28.3

Full-Time Teachers

8.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

93.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for MS 129 ACADEMY FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
Demographic	Student Count
White	3
Hispanic	155
Black	63
Asian	1
Two or More	1
American Indian	6
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
155 (67.4%)
Black
63 (27.4%)
American Indian
6 (2.6%)
White
3 (1.3%)
Asian
1 (0.4%)
Two or More
1 (0.4%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12
Phone:	(718)933-5976
Website:	http://www.ms129.net
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	230
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	28.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	8.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	216
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 83

Grade 7 76

Grade 8 71