At a Glance
A neighborhood zoned school where strong leadership and family trust are driving academic gains in a high-need Bronx community
Families who value a strong school community and are looking for a zoned option in the Bronx — particularly those who prioritize teacher-principal trust and a safe, suspension-free environment over test score perfection. Parents should be prepared to actively manage attendance, since chronic absenteeism is high even among families who report being satisfied with the school.
- 100% of teachers report trust in leadership and high-quality instruction — extraordinary for any school
- Zero suspensions for three straight years despite serving a high-need population
- Parent trust ratings at 99% for both teachers and principal
- Nearly doubled proficiency rates over nine years
- Chronic absenteeism is very high at 63% — this is the biggest concern and may explain some score volatility
- PTA fundraising is minimal ($17/student vs. $74 district average), limiting extracurricular resources
- Test scores dipped slightly in 2024 before rebounding in 2025 — trajectory is positive but not linear
- Only 26% of families responded to the parent survey — while the results are strong, they may not represent all voices
- Grade 4 scores lag behind grades 3 and 5 — some grade levels are struggling more than others
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 10
Among District 10's zoned elementary schools, P.S. 008 performs slightly above average in proficiency and sits near the middle of the peer pack. Other schools in the area include P.S. 024 (92/100), P.S. 081 (88/100), and several charter and alternative options. What's distinctive here isn't raw academic performance — it's the combination of zero disciplinary incidents, near-universal family trust, and a long-term upward trend despite serving one of the district's highest-need populations.
Test scores here sit slightly above the District 10 average (47.2% ELA vs. 45%, 47.3% math vs. 43.5%), which is meaningful given that 88% of students face economic hardship. The five-year trend shows real growth — ELA climbed from the low 30s in 2019 to 47% in 2025, with math following a similar path. Grade 5 performs strongest (57% ELA), while grades 3 and 4 are still building. The overall score of 1.89/4 places it slightly above the district average of 1.77.
The survey data is genuinely impressive. Every single parent who responded (94% satisfaction) reports strong trust in teachers and the principal, and teachers give 100% marks for instructional quality and their relationship with leadership. Safety is rated 91% by teachers — above the district average. There's been not a single suspension in three years. But there's a tension here: attendance is barely below district average (90.3% vs. 90.8%), yet chronic absenteeism is a staggering 63% — meaning a huge portion of students are missing significant school time despite the school's strong climate.
This is a predominantly Hispanic school (77%) in a neighborhood that skews working-class and immigrant. Nearly 90% of students qualify for free lunch, and 21% have IEPs. The diversity index is 46%, which is moderate — the school is mostly Hispanic with smaller Asian (8%), Black (7%), and White (6%) populations. PTA fundraising is low at $17 per student (district average is $74), reflecting the neighborhood's modest incomes. Parent survey response rate was 26%, which is decent but means about a quarter of families shared feedback.
Bedford Park is a dense, transit-friendly Bronx neighborhood (75th percentile for transit) with lots of families with children. It's low-income — median household income is $44,438, and only 7% of residents own homes. The poverty rate is 25.6%. Education orientation is low (33%), which tracks with the neighborhood's economic profile. Safety scores poorly (9.2), and there's elevated lead exposure (15.2%) and asthma rates. Families here rely heavily on public transit and walking.
Given the high transit score and low car ownership in the neighborhood, most families walk or take the bus. The area is dense and pedestrian-friendly for a Bronx neighborhood.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 151 families responded (26% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 008 Isaac Varian a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 008 Isaac Varian earns an overall quality score of 47/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 10 average.
- What grades does P.S. 008 Isaac Varian serve?
- P.S. 008 Isaac Varian serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 008 Isaac Varian?
- P.S. 008 Isaac Varian admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 008 Isaac Varian public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 008 Isaac Varian is a public school in NYC Community School District 10.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 008 Isaac Varian in?
- P.S. 008 Isaac Varian is in Bedford Park, Bronx.
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