P.S. 016 John J. Driscoll

Test scores at P.S. 016 fall below the Staten Island district average — 45.3% ELA and 43.2% math versus the district's 61% benchmarks — placing this school in the lower tier. However, the trend line tells a more nuanced story: scores plummeted during the pandemic (2022 saw just 16.6% ELA proficiency) but have since rebounded dramatically, with 2025 marks nearly tripling in ELA and more than tripling in math. Grade 5 students are performing at particularly strong levels (58.8% ELA, 67.9% math), suggesting the upper grades are finding instructional traction. The overall quality score of 1.77 out of 4 reflects this still-developing academic picture.

The survey data paints a remarkably positive picture of school culture. Teachers report 100% instruction quality and 100% trust in leadership — both exceptional. Parents give 94% satisfaction and 96% agreement that students have strong relationships with adults. Safety is perceived as strong (96% teacher-reported). However, there's a tension: chronic absenteeism is extremely high at 58.6%, well above the 91.5% average daily attendance. This suggests that families who attend regularly report feeling very positive about the school, but a significant portion of families are struggling with consistent attendance. Discipline is minimal — just one suspension last year with a 0% suspension rate — indicating a restorative approach.

With 433 students, this is a medium-sized elementary serving a predominantly Hispanic community (61%), with significant Black (26%) and small Asian (5%) and White (6%) populations. The diversity index of 59% reflects a heterogeneous student body. Nearly one-quarter of students have IEPs, and 91.3% qualify for economic need programs — indicating significant family poverty. The neighborhood itself is low in family density (13.2% of households have children) and moderate in education attainment (33% with BA+), suggesting this is a community where the school serves as a critical anchor for families.

St. George-New Brighton on Staten Island offers excellent transit access (86th percentile) but faces real challenges in safety (36th percentile) and family density (24th percentile). The median home value is $556,676 with a 19.5% poverty rate, indicating an area in transition. Crime density is elevated, though the area has decent health environment scores. For families, the tradeoffs are clear: this is a neighborhood where you can easily commute by bus or train, but it's not a typical family-friendly enclave with parks and playgrounds at every turn.

The neighborhood scores well on transit (85.82), making it accessible via public transportation. However, with low family density and safety concerns, families may prefer driving or supervised travel for younger children.