The number of city public schools the state deems unsafe has reached the highest level since it began keeping tabs on violent incidents in 2005.
The state Department of Education put 40 city schools on its “persistently dangerous” list Tuesday — up from just 25 in 2012.
State education spokesman Tom Dunn attributed the increase to better reporting of violence.
“We do not believe that schools are more dangerous now,” he said.
Thirty-one schools were new to the list, including Lehman HS in The Bronx, and the FDNY HS of Fire and Life Safety, as well as the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, both in Brooklyn.
Nine, including Brooklyn’s Peace Academy, were on the list in 2012. Two have closed.
A school makes the list based on a complex state formula that compares the number of incidents, including assault, weapon possession and harassment, with the number of students enrolled.
The rise in dangerous schools coincides with a 27.2 percent drop in suspensions from 2011 to 2013 and a 6 percent decline in school crime this academic year compared with last year, according to the NYPD.
City education officials insisted schools are getting safer.
“We consider each school’s unique needs as we develop solutions to ensure that all of our students feel safe,” said city Department of Education spokeswoman Marge Feinberg.