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Life Academy High School For Film And Music

Public Grades 9-12

948^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,234 New York High Schools

Better than 23% of New York high schools

Summary

Life Academy High School For Film And Music is a public high school located in Brooklyn, New York, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 214 students. The school is part of the New York City Geographic District #21, which is ranked 472 out of 874 districts in New York and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite its specialized focus on film and music, Life Academy High School For Film And Music has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of New York high schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger indicating it is among the lowest-performing schools in the state. The school's performance is particularly low for male students, White students, and Hispanic students, though it performs relatively better for English Language Learner students and Special Education students. Academically, the school struggles with proficiency, with most Regents exam pass rates well below the district and state averages, especially in subjects like Chemistry, Geometry, and Living Environment. The school's four-year graduation rate has fluctuated between 71.7% and 84.3%, which is below the district and state averages, and its dropout rate has also been higher than the district and state, ranging from 4.5% to 9.4% in recent years.

Interestingly, the nearby schools, such as Brooklyn Studio Secondary School, Rachel Carson High School For Coastal Studies, and John Dewey High School, generally perform better than Life Academy High School For Film And Music across various metrics, including statewide rankings, academic achievement, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. Despite the school's relatively high per-student spending of $31,513 in the 2023-2024 school year, this higher funding does not seem to translate into better academic outcomes or student performance, suggesting that the school may need to re-evaluate how it allocates and utilizes its resources.

198

Students ?

10.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$33,503

Per pupil spending ?

81.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2630 Benson Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11214

(718) 333-7750

District: New York City Geographic District #21

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

44.4%

White:

34.8%

Asian:

11.6%

See top rated New York high schools

Compare Life Academy High School For Film And Music to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 70th percentile in 2015 → 23rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the New York average (43% vs 66% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (23rd percentile)

!Graduation rate below the New York average (70% vs 83%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school43%

District avg56%

New York avg66%

948^th of 1,234

New York public high schools ?

Bottom 23%▼ down 47 pts since 2015

From top 30% (2015) to bottom 23% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New York High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 10High Schools in the New York City Geographic District #21

472^nd of 874New York City Geographic District #21 among New York districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	23.2	948 of 1234	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	11.9	1112 of 1242	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	8.5	1135 of 1228	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	17.2	955 of 1190	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	1.3	515 of 519	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	16.6	990 of 1207	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.2	855 of 1210	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	14.4	1012 of 1221	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	17.5	1103 of 1255	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	63.8	373 of 1255	70.3%	★★★★☆
2014	48.7	665 of 1237	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	43.9	745 of 1217	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	11.8	1046 of 1198	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	20.8	951 of 1165	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	15.9	972 of 1117	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	48.1	652 of 1086	40.0%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	46.3	339 of 713	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	20.9	587 of 690	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.1	613 of 671	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	39.4	339 of 593	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.4	403 of 686	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.0	399 of 679	41.2%	★★☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	20.7	348 of 413	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	14.4	379 of 426	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	46.2	236 of 386	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.4	294 of 426	31.0%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	62.3	182 of 669	72.8%	★★★★☆
2024	42.9	333 of 637	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.1	375 of 583	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.7	263 of 481	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.6	394 of 565	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.6	202 of 546	63.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	23.3	933 of 1206	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.5	1085 of 1219	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.4	1008 of 1197	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.2	884 of 1155	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.6	1034 of 1193	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.4	847 of 1176	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	28.8	634 of 885	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	12.4	802 of 865	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.8	814 of 851	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	14.7	677 of 760	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.5	645 of 815	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	41.3	450 of 791	43.1%	★★☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	41.0	365 of 607	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.7	400 of 564	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.7	476 of 531	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	44.5	190 of 389	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	26.4	407 of 493	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	77.2	59 of 498	88.2%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	25.5	904 of 1179	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.7	1039 of 1170	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	9.7	1061 of 1155	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	21.9	869 of 1101	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	17.2	986 of 1179	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.6	837 of 1154	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	24.1	918 of 1201	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	11.4	1092 of 1211	9.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.8	1159 of 1191	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	13.6	988 of 1154	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.5	942 of 1190	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	26.3	863 of 1176	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	45.4	559 of 1149	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	29.1	846 of 1144	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.4	722 of 1130	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	30.1	728 of 1038	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.0	750 of 1132	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.6	556 of 1095	49.2%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	9.8	746 of 788	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.9	739 of 781	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.0	708 of 776	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.9	703 of 738	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.3	742 of 793	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	25.7	649 of 765	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2025)73rd percentile+50 vs school

African American (2025)52nd percentile+29 vs school

Special Education (2025)51st percentile+28 vs school

Homeless (2025)40th percentile+17 vs school

Hispanic (2025)28th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)24th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)23rd percentile~ school

Female (2025)23rd percentile~ school

Asian (2025)16th percentile-7 vs school

White (2025)5th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs New York (2024-2025) ?

Global History and Geography68%-8 vs state

U.S. History and Government63%-12 vs state

Algebra I60%+4 vs state

Common Core English Language Arts49%-26 vs state

Common Core Algebra II42%-33 vs state

Living Environment39%-17 vs state

Earth and Space Sciences38%-18 vs state

Life Science Biology32%-27 vs state

Earth Science29%-36 vs state

Geometry15%-45 vs state

Common Core Geometry9%-15 vs state

Chemistry5%-59 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Thursday, March 19, 2015

LIFE Academy High School is an ideal place for those who thrive in a warm, supportive learning environment, where students are engaged in passionate discussions and real-world problem solving. Teachers seamlessly infuse and track Common Core skills throughout each lesson and personalize instruction in order to maximize student achievement and prepare students for college and career. Complementing the instruction is our 9-12 College and Career Readiness program, which ensures that all students develop the critical non-cognitive skills and college knowledge they need to reach their long-term college and career goals. Students at LIFE also have valuable learning experience soutside the classroom through college campus visits, tours of America’s most historic landmarks, and inspiring theatrical performances. I am proud to be a part of LIFE’s thriving community. Students are supported and encouraged but also consistently challenged to become their personal best. Close Quote

Schools Near Life Academy High School For Film And Music

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				Regents Chemistry (2025)	Regents Common Core Algebra II (2025)	Regents Common Core English Language Arts (2025)	Regents Common Core Geometry (2025)	Regents Earth Science (2025)	Regents Global History and Geography (2025)	Regents Living Environment (2025)	Regents Physics (2025)	Regents U.S. History and Government (2025)	Regents Algebra I (2025)	Regents Life Science Biology (2025)	Regents Geometry (2025)	Regents Earth and Space Sciences (2025)	NY State Assessments English Language Arts (2025)			NY State Assessments Math (2025)			NY State Assessments Science (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Regents Chemistry End of Course	Regents Common Core Algebra II End of Course	Regents Common Core English Language Arts End of Course	Regents Common Core Geometry End of Course	Regents Earth Science End of Course	Regents Global History and Geography End of Course	Regents Living Environment End of Course	Regents Physics End of Course	Regents U.S. History and Government End of Course	Regents Algebra I End of Course	Regents Life Science Biology End of Course	Regents Geometry End of Course	Regents Earth and Space Sciences End of Course	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 6th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 7th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 8th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 6th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 7th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 8th Grade	NY State Assessments Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
High School Of Sports Management	Public	9-12	2630 Benson Ave	Brooklyn	11214	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 333-7650	385	34	11.4	83.4%	121 (31.4%)	59 (15.3%)	151 (39.2%)	45 (11.7%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.5%)	4 (1.0%)	16.1	1042^nd of 1234 public high schools	15.6%		13.3	1082^nd of 1242 public high schools	12.9%	40	56.0	68.6	35.6	22.4	17.4	48.2	33.3		38.4	30.9	32.0	25.4	48.2								$29,371	$2,887	$26,485
Kingsborough Early College School	Public	6-12	2630 Benson Ave	Brooklyn	11214	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 333-7850	722	47	15.3	78.7%	183 (25.3%)	154 (21.3%)	302 (41.8%)	58 (8.0%)	7 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	16 (2.2%)	63.3	452^nd of 1234 public high schools	63.4%		62.3	488^th of 1242 public high schools	60.7%	36	93.9	61.8	88.8	68.1		94.1	77.8		72.0	72.5	67.4	26.7	34.0	53.9	56.8	56.1	39.1	60.9	30.2	55.3	$28,653	$2,539	$26,114
Life Academy High School For Film And Music	Public	9-12	2630 Benson Ave	Brooklyn	11214	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 333-7750	198	18	10.7	81.3%	69 (34.8%)	15 (7.6%)	88 (44.4%)	23 (11.6%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	23.2	948^th of 1234 public high schools	23.2%		11.9	1112^th of 1242 public high schools	10.5%	164	5.1	42.1	49.2	8.7	28.9	68.1	39.5		63.3	59.7	31.7	14.8	38.5								$33,503	$2,754	$30,750
Leaders High School	Public	9-12	2630 Benson Ave	Brooklyn	11214	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 333-7700	383	37	10.4	85.1%	89 (23.2%)	33 (8.6%)	172 (44.9%)	67 (17.5%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.5%)	17 (4.4%)								(n/a)			84.6																		$30,788	$2,649	$28,139
International High School At Lafayette	Public, Magnet	9-12	2630 Benson Ave	Brooklyn	11214	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	Yes	No	Yes	(718) 333-7860	331	29	11.2	95.2%	97 (29.3%)	9 (2.7%)	169 (51.1%)	51 (15.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.2%)								(n/a)			43.8							53.6											$32,558	$3,374	$29,184
John Dewey High School	Public	9-12	50 Ave X	Brooklyn	11223	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 373-6400	2,209	163	13.5	88.6%	536 (24.3%)	355 (16.1%)	605 (27.4%)	634 (28.7%)	16 (0.7%)	12 (0.5%)	51 (2.3%)	42.4	729^th of 1234 public high schools	40.9%		37.6	776^th of 1242 public high schools	37.5%	47	53.0	80.2	64.2	20.4	0.0	85.3	51.3	55.3	82.6	42.7	50.7	42.2	38.4								$28,357	$2,630	$25,726
Brooklyn Studio Secondary School	Public	6-12	8310 21st Ave	Brooklyn	11214	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 266-5032	892	83	10.7	84.0%	354 (39.7%)	27 (3.0%)	350 (39.2%)	147 (16.5%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	9 (1.0%)	37.1	781^st of 1234 public high schools	36.7%		38.3	771^st of 1242 public high schools	37.9%	10	22.5	67.5	74.7	42.9	32.0	64.5	50.0		74.7	49.0	44.4	27.9		47.2	48.0	62.9	35.2	63.6	35.1	35.1	$30,838	$2,816	$28,022
Rachel Carson High School For Coastal Studies	Public	9-12	521 West Ave	Brooklyn	11224	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 265-0329	619	46	13.5	84.3%	345 (55.7%)	53 (8.6%)	111 (17.9%)	82 (13.2%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	24 (3.9%)	45.8	698^th of 1234 public high schools	43.4%		42.6	733^rd of 1242 public high schools	41.0%	35	22.7	64.2	72.7	30.0	16.7	89.4	58.9	18.6	80.8	50.4	43.8	40.3	59.1								$29,287	$2,828	$26,459
Liberation Diploma Plus	Public	9-12	2865 W 19th St	Brooklyn	11224	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 946-6812	187	15	12.8	93.6%	29 (15.5%)	66 (35.3%)	87 (46.5%)	4 (2.1%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10.1	1135^th of 1234 public high schools	8.0%		13.8	1071^st of 1242 public high schools	13.8%	64			33.3			49.4	40.0		50.0	17.2	5.6										$38,460	$3,158	$35,302
Abraham Lincoln High School	Public	9-12	2800 Ocean Pkwy	Brooklyn	11235	Kings County	New York City Geographic District #21	No	No	No	Yes	(718) 333-7400	2,210	135	16.3	83.6%	312 (14.1%)	762 (34.5%)	717 (32.4%)	342 (15.5%)	29 (1.3%)	13 (0.6%)	35 (1.6%)	29	870^th of 1234 public high schools	29.5%		31.7	839^th of 1242 public high schools	32.4%	31	41.5	86.9	73.3	14.8	9.7	62.9	33.2	44.2	69.7	34.3	35.4	27.3	41.4								$25,010	$2,110	$22,900

Frequently Asked Questions about Life Academy High School For Film And Music

Is Life Academy High School For Film And Music a good school?

Life Academy High School For Film And Music ranks in the bottom 23.2% of New York high schools.

How many students attend Life Academy High School For Film And Music?

In the 2024-25 school year, 198 students attended Life Academy High School For Film And Music.

What is the racial makeup of Life Academy High School For Film And Music?

Students at Life Academy High School For Film And Music are 44% Hispanic, 35% White, 12% Asian, 8% African American.

What district is Life Academy High School For Film And Music in?

New York City Geographic District #21

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the WNYC and the New York State Department of Health and the NY State Education Department.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.