P.S. 008 Luis Belliard

Test scores at P.S. 008 have nearly doubled in math since the COVID disruption (from 19.5% to 42%) and improved in ELA (14.5% to 30.5%), but both subjects remain below the district average of 47% and 52% respectively. Grade-level data shows the school performs strongest in Grade 5 (38.6% ELA, 42.6% math) but struggles in Grade 4, where only 19.6% of students are proficient in math — a notable gap that suggests some students may be hitting a wall around third-to-fourth-grade transitions. The school has a 1.31 overall score compared to the district average of 1.98.

The climate data tells a split story. On the survey side, it's nearly perfect: 99% of families report satisfaction, trust in teachers and principal, and teachers give 100% ratings for instruction quality and safety. The school has had zero suspensions for three consecutive years. But the attendance reality is troubling — the chronic absenteeism rate of 59.7% is far above the district average, and female students (65.8%) miss significantly more school than males (54.5%). This creates a paradox where families love the school when they're engaged, but many aren't showing up regularly enough for their children to succeed.

Nearly all students (93%) are Hispanic, reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. With an economic need index of 87.4% and a quarter of students having IEPs, this serves one of the highest-need populations in the district. The community is tight-knit — family survey response rate was 100% (359 responses), indicating strong engagement among families who do participate.

Washington Heights is a dense, transit-rich neighborhood with excellent subway access (96.55 score) but significant challenges. The safety score is low (3.83), and the area has elevated environmental health concerns including higher asthma rates and lead exposure indicators. Only 8% of residents own homes, and households with children are relatively rare at 9%, suggesting many families are renting and may be transient. The neighborhood scores high on family density (85), meaning there are many families nearby, though the education orientation is moderate (52).

The area is very walkable with excellent transit — families without cars can easily reach the school via subway or bus. The neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly but parents should be aware of the safety indicators when evaluating the location.