P.S. 016 Wakefield

Test scores at P.S. 016 are well below the District 11 average — ELA proficiency of 32.2% and math at 35.8% place the school near the bottom of a district where charter schools dominate the top rankings. The historical trend is volatile: math peaked at 32.1% in 2019, dropped to 23.9% in 2022, and has recovered to 35.8% in 2025, while ELA has seesawed between 20% and 35% over the past decade. Grade 3 shows the strongest math performance at 45.3%, suggesting early intervention may be helping, but overall the school scores 1.36 out of 4 on the city's quality review scale compared to the district average of 2.25. Parents rate the school highly, but teacher-reported instruction quality at 84% falls below the district average of 92%.

The climate data tells a nuanced story: families absolutely love this school — 95% parent satisfaction, 97% parent-teacher trust, and 99% principal trust are outstanding — yet chronic absenteeism at 59.5% is a serious concern that likely drags on academic progress. Teacher trust in leadership is lower (68% for both principal trust and collegial trust), and teacher-reported safety at 89% is notably below the district average of 95%. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years, which parents likely appreciate, but this could also reflect lenient discipline or under-reporting. The day-to-day feel seems warm for families but may feel challenging for teachers navigating attendance issues and lower institutional support.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (47%) and Black (37%), with small Asian (5%), White (3%), and Native American (7%) populations — a diverse mix reflected in the 68% diversity index. Economic need is high at 80.4%, and 18% of students have IEPs, suggesting significant support needs. The neighborhood itself is a stable, middle-class community with 43.7% homeownership and a median household income of $73,320, though only 15.5% of households have children — indicating an older, possibly aging population where families with kids are a smaller presence. PTA fundraising of $28 per student slightly exceeds the district average, showing engaged families.

Wakefield-Woodlawn is a residential neighborhood in the north Bronx known for its stability (91.57 stability score) and predominantly owner-occupied housing (43.7% homeownership). The area has a family density score of 60, though only 15.5% of households have children, suggesting many older residents. Safety scores are low at 32 (in the bottom third of NYC neighborhoods), with elevated crime density and asthma rates that may concern families. Transit access is moderate at 44, and education orientation at 43 indicates this isn't a highly academic-focused pocket. Median home values exceed $550K, making it an affordable Bronx option for buyers.

The area is primarily residential with moderate walkability. Families in the zoned catchment walk or drive, though the low safety score and traffic concerns may make some parents prefer driving younger children. Transit access is available but not exceptional.