P.S. 009 Sarah Anderson

Test scores at P.S. 009 are exceptional by any measure — 86.4% ELA and 87.1% math proficiency place this school roughly 25-30 percentage points above the District 3 averages. But what stands out is the trajectory: after a dip during the pandemic years (2022 saw math drop to 75.7%), the school has climbed back strongly, with both subjects now at their highest points in the data history. Grade-level breakdowns show consistency across third through fifth grade, with fifth graders hitting 91.2% ELA proficiency — indicating strong instruction throughout the elementary years rather than a single strong cohort.

The survey data reads almost like a best-case scenario: 97% of parents report satisfaction, 98% trust their child's teacher, and 99% trust the principal. Teachers are equally positive — 95% rate instruction quality highly, 97% trust their colleagues, and 93% trust the building's leadership. Safety is perceived as strong (97% teacher-reported), and discipline is essentially nonexistent — zero suspensions for three consecutive years. The one wrinkle is chronic absenteeism, which shows at 90.1% — a figure that seems to contradict the 95% attendance rate and may reflect different measurement methodologies or subgroups with varying patterns.

The student body is predominantly White (60%), reflecting the neighborhood's demographics, with meaningful Hispanic (18%) and Asian (10%) representation. The diversity index of 66% is moderate, and economic need is low at 22.1% — only 15% of students have IEPs. The PTA raised nearly $2 million in 2024-25, which works out to over $4,000 per student — more than six times the district average. This isn't a school where families are fundraising for basics; the resources are substantial.

The Upper West Side is one of the most family-dense neighborhoods in the city (98th percentile), with excellent transit options (91st percentile) and a strong education orientation (95th percentile). Median household income exceeds $150,000, and 80% of residents have bachelor's degrees or higher. The area offers numerous parks, cultural institutions, and family-oriented businesses. Safety perceptions score lower (24th percentile), though this reflects the neighborhood's general urban concerns rather than school-specific issues.

Highly walkable neighborhood with excellent subway access — families typically arrive on foot from the surrounding blocks, with minimal busing needed for a zoned school