I.S. 061 William A Morris

Test scores here are significantly below the Staten Island district average — ELA proficiency of 35.9% and math at 22.8% compared to district averages above 61% in both subjects. The school earned an overall score of just 1.17 out of 4. Looking at the trend, math improved substantially from 17.5% in 2022 to 31% in 2024 before dropping back to 22.8% in 2025, while ELA has remained relatively flat in the mid-to-high 30s over the past several years. Grade-level data reveals a concerning pattern: 8th graders outperform on ELA (38.5%) but lag badly in math (13.2%), suggesting potential gaps in math instruction or curriculum continuity.

Parent satisfaction sits at 92%, with strong trust between parents and teachers (92%) and between families and the principal (89%). However, teachers report notably lower trust in leadership — just 56% for teacher-principal trust, compared to 74% for collegial trust among staff. Instruction quality is rated 83% by teachers, below the district average of 93%. Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 52.1%, with white students experiencing the highest rates (64.4%) followed by multiracial students (56%). The suspension rate of 5% is dramatically higher than the district average of 0.4%, though the trend has been relatively flat (34 in 2021-22, 45 in 2022-23, 42 in 2023-24).

The school enrollment of 992 reflects a majority-Hispanic student body (53%) with significant Black enrollment (30%), while the neighborhood itself is predominantly white with 57% homeownership and a median home value of $640,000. This creates an interesting contrast — the school draws from a more economically diverse and predominantly non-white population than the surrounding neighborhood might suggest. The economic need index of 79.3% is high, and 28% of students have IEPs, indicating substantial special education population. The diversity index of 64% shows meaningful demographic variety.

West New Brighton-Silver Lake-Grymes Hill is a stable, residential Staten Island neighborhood with a strong education orientation score of 73.18 and high stability (89.66). The median household income of $109,431 and poverty rate of just 10% indicate economic health. Safety scores at 70.5 are moderate. The area offers typical Staten Island residential character with single-family homes, though transit access scores lower at 50.96, reflecting the borough's car-dependent nature.

Families typically commute by car or bus — the neighborhood has limited subway access typical of Staten Island, and parents should factor in transportation time when considering this school.