P.S. 020 Port Richmond

Test scores at P.S. 020 have climbed meaningfully from their pandemic trough — ELA at 30.9% and math at 23.7% in 2025 represent solid recovery from 2022's 7.4% ELA, but both remain roughly half the district averages (61% ELA, 61% math). Grade 3 performs strongest (43.5% ELA, 32.7% math), suggesting early intervention is working, while Grade 4 lags significantly (16.3% ELA). The 1.09 overall score on the 4-point scale places this school in the lowest tier compared to district peers like P.S. 035 (99/100) and P.S. 005 (96/100). Students here are catching up, not leading.

Parent satisfaction and trust metrics are remarkably strong — 96% of families report satisfaction and trust in teachers, and 92% trust the principal. However, teacher voices tell a different story: only 54% trust the principal, 59% rate instruction quality positively, and just 73% feel safe in the building. This trust gap between families and staff is notable. Attendance is a concern — the 89.8% rate falls below district average, and chronic absenteeism at 57.7% means more than half of students are missing significant school time, with Hispanic students (58.6%) and boys (62.6%) most affected. On the positive side, there have been zero suspensions for three straight years, indicating the school has moved away from exclusionary discipline.

The student body is 78% Hispanic, reflecting the Port Richmond neighborhood's demographics, with 14% Black, 4% White, and 2% Asian students. A striking 36% of students have IEPs — well above typical elementary schools — and the economic need index of 88 means nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced lunch. The diversity index of 42% is moderate for Staten Island. This is a high-need community where the school serves a substantial population of students with disabilities and families facing economic hardship.

Port Richmond on Staten Island is a working-class neighborhood with a family density score of 44 (below median) and moderate education orientation (64). The median household income of $74,560 sits below some neighboring areas, with a 21.6% poverty rate. Transit access is strong (80 score), making commutes manageable, though the safety score (56) and elevated lead rates (22.6%) are concerns. The area offers reasonable access to parks and basic family resources, though it's less amenity-rich than some other Staten Island neighborhoods.

Port Richmond is relatively walkable within the neighborhood, though families from farther-flung parts of Staten Island will depend on car or bus commutes given the island's car-dependent nature