At a Glance
A high-need zoned school with surging test scores and deeply engaged families, fighting through chronic absenteeism challenges
Families who value a tight-knit, trusting school community and can actively work to combat absenteeism. Best for parents who want strong home-school partnerships and are willing to engage deeply — the survey data shows families who participate rate the school highly. Those expecting consistently high academic performance may want to look at nearby zoned options or consider charter lotteries.
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — exceptional discipline climate
- Near-perfect parent trust scores (98%) and relationship reports (100%)
- Recent dramatic test score improvement, particularly in math
- High teacher-reported instruction quality (95%)
- Very high family survey response rate (99%) indicating strong community engagement
- Chronic absenteeism at 66.7% is among the highest in the city — this should be a top concern for families
- Test scores, while improving, still trail district averages by 8-9 percentage points
- Teacher-principal trust (72%) is notably lower than parent trust — potential leadership friction
- PTA fundraising far below district average ($39 vs $141 per student) means fewer enrichment resources
- Score volatility suggests the academic gains may not be stable year to year
- Only 17.7% of households in the neighborhood have children — less of a built-in parent community
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 31
Among Staten Island peer schools, P.S. 019 falls below the pack — peer schools range from 85-99 on state metrics while this school shows 2.1/4 overall. The gap reflects the school's high economic need (82%) compared to more affluent parts of the island. However, the recent test score surge and exceptional family engagement distinguish it from purely underperforming schools.
Test scores have swung dramatically — ELA jumped from 26.7% in 2024 to 52.4% in 2025, while math rose from 40.4% to 52.6%. These gains are real but volatile; the school has historically yo-yoed between peaks and valleys. Compared to the Staten Island district averages of 61.3% ELA and 61% math, P.S. 019 still trails by roughly 9 percentage points. The overall score of 2.1 out of 4 reflects this gap. Grade-level data shows strong performance in 5th grade (65.6% ELA, 54.7% math) but struggles in 4th grade math (33.8%).
The climate data tells a complicated story. Parents love this school — 95% satisfaction, 98% trust in teachers and principal, and a perfect 100% report strong relationships. Teachers report high-quality instruction (95%) and feel safe (95%). However, teacher-principal trust sits at 72% — noticeably lower than parent trust — suggesting some tension behind the scenes. The school has maintained a zero suspension rate for three consecutive years, a genuine strength. The big concern is chronic absenteeism at 66.7%, meaning roughly two-thirds of students are missing significant school time.
This is a high-need community school: 82% economic need, 27% students with IEPs, and 78% Hispanic enrollment reflecting the Port Richmond neighborhood's demographics. The diversity index of 46% is moderate. Class sizes average 23.4 students, matching the district average. PTA fundraising is notably low at $39 per student compared to the district average of $141 — suggesting fewer resources for extracurricular enrichment despite strong family engagement in surveys.
Port Richmond is a working-class Staten Island community with a stability score of 82% and solid transit access (80%). Median home values around $486,000 reflect the broader Staten Island market. The neighborhood has a safety score of 56 — below average — and a poverty rate of 21.6%. Only 17.7% of households have children, making this a less family-dense area compared to other parts of the island. The education orientation score of 64 suggests moderate parental emphasis on schooling.
Families in Port Richmond typically walk or drive; the neighborhood is car-oriented with moderate walkability around the school. Public transit is available via Staten Island bus routes.
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) · 427 families responded (99% 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. 019 The Curtis School a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 019 The Curtis School earns an overall quality score of 53/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 31 average.
- What grades does P.S. 019 The Curtis School serve?
- P.S. 019 The Curtis School serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 019 The Curtis School?
- P.S. 019 The Curtis School admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 019 The Curtis School public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 019 The Curtis School is a public school in NYC Community School District 31.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 019 The Curtis School in?
- P.S. 019 The Curtis School is in Port Richmond, Staten Island.
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