Earning its nickname: Zoo School

‘KIDS WERE CRYING AND SCREAMING’

IT’S A JUNGLE in there.

The Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, one of more than 200 small-themed high schools largely created under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, is nicknamed the “Zoo School.”

Its academic alias is tied to an animal-focused curriculum and a close proximity to the Bronx Zoo. But the 545-student school has struggled with disciplinary problems that give its nickname a darker meaning.

Only 19% of teachers reported feeling safe at the school on a city Education Department survey in 2016, far below the city average of 75%

And just 55% of students said they felt safe in school hallways in the same 2016 survey, far below the city average of 84%.

Only 19% of teachers said they would recommend the school to other families, compared to a citywide average of 82%.

The school occupies classrooms inside the Bronx Public School 67 building, and parents have complained about the arrangement for years. PS 67, operating at 117% capacity, is packed to the gills. The school has served grades six to 12 since its 2007 debut. But this wasn’t the first predator in the facility.

The School for Wildlife Conservation reported three sex offenses against students in 2016, plus two assaults with injuries and two incidents of harassment with weapons.

Its graduation rate of 73% in 2016 matched the city average that year, but its college readiness rate of 23% was less than half the city average of 47%.

Principal Astrid Jacobo didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

Education Department spokeswoman Toya Holness said officials have conducted visits to the school to review crisis responses with staffers.

“We are continuing to work closely with the school community to provide ongoing support, including additional training in deescalation and crisis intervention techniques,” Holness said.