J.H.S. 143 Eleanor Roosevelt

Test scores at Eleanor Roosevelt are well below the District 6 averages — 27.9% ELA versus 47% districtwide, and 25.2% math versus 52% districtwide. The overall quality score of 1.06 out of 4 places it among the lower-performing schools in Manhattan. However, the school has climbed substantially from a 2016 baseline of 13.2% ELA and 6.8% math, with gains every year except 2019-2022. Grade 7 students perform noticeably better (34% ELA, 38.5% math) than their older and younger peers, suggesting the middle grades may be getting stronger support.

The school's climate data tells a nuanced story. Family trust metrics are exceptional — 97% of parents report confidence in both teachers and the principal, and 93% say they're satisfied with the school overall. Teacher trust is equally strong at 97%. However, only 75% of teachers rate instruction quality as good, compared to a 90% district average, which may reflect the challenges of raising performance with limited resources. Discipline is a genuine strength: the school has had zero suspensions for two of the past three years, creating a safe, non-punitive environment.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (89%), with small Black and White populations (5% each) and virtually no Asian students. This mirrors the Washington Heights neighborhood's demographics but results in a low diversity index of 25%. A quarter of students have IEPs, indicating significant special education support needs. The school is tiny — just 197 students across three grades — which means small class sizes (21.9 students on average, matching the district) but also less breadth in extracurricular offerings than larger schools.

Washington Heights is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood in Upper Manhattan with a strong family presence (family density score of 79.69). The median household income is $76,919, with 14% poverty — moderate by NYC standards. However, the neighborhood's safety score of 9.96 places it in the bottom percentile, which parents should factor into their commute and afterschool plans. Education orientation is moderate at 60.15, indicating a decent number of families prioritize schooling, though not as intensive as some nearby areas.

Families mostly walk or take public transit to this school; the neighborhood has excellent subway access (transit score of 76.25) and is very pedestrian-friendly. However, given the low safety score, parents may prefer to accompany younger students or older siblings walking home.