P.S. 023 Richmondtown

This school is a clear outlier in District 31 — and in a good way. ELA proficiency at 82.7% and math at 88.2% tower over the district averages of 61.3% and 61.0% respectively. The long-term trend shows consistent, sustained improvement rather than a single good year: math has climbed from 69.4% in 2016 to 88.2% in 2025, and ELA improved from 60.4% to 82.7% over the same period. Fifth graders are the strongest performers with 90% ELA and 92% math proficiency, suggesting strong instruction as students move through the grades. The overall quality rating of 3.42 out of 4 places this school firmly in the upper tier.

The culture here reads almost too good to be true on paper: zero suspensions for three straight years, 100% teacher-reported safety, and nearly universal trust scores (98-100% across parent-teacher, teacher-principal, and collegial trust dimensions). Parent satisfaction sits at 96%, with families particularly valuing strong relationships. However, there's a notable tension: chronic absenteeism is extremely high at 84.5% — meaning most students are missing significant instructional time despite the strong academic outcomes. This could indicate families pulling children for minor illnesses or vacations at higher rates, or possibly data quirks in how chronic absenteeism is measured. The day-to-day feel based on survey data is one of genuine warmth and alignment between families, teachers, and leadership.

The student body is predominantly white (67%) with meaningful Asian (16%) and Hispanic (15%) representation, yielding a diversity index of 53% — moderately diverse for Staten Island but less so than the city's overall mix. At 38.9%, the economic need index is below average for the city, reflecting the neighborhood's relative affluence (median household income of $107,562, only 7.7% poverty rate). Nearly a quarter of students have IEPs (24%), suggesting robust special education services. The PTA raised an impressive $285,000 this year — about $498 per student, more than three times the district average — indicating active family fundraising that likely supports enrichment programs.

Oakwood-Richmondtown is one of Staten Island's most stable, family-centric neighborhoods. With a 93.87% stability score and 69% homeownership rate, this is a place where families put down roots. The median home value of $649,000 reflects the area's desirability. Safety scores are strong (80.84 percentile), and the health environment is excellent (94.25 percentile). Transit options are limited — this is a car-dependent part of the borough — but education orientation is high (76.63 percentile), meaning families here prioritize schools. There are parks and neighborhood resources, though this isn't a walkable urban environment.

This is a car-dependent neighborhood on Staten Island; most families drive or are bussed. The school is not located near major transit hubs, so commute times can be longer for families relying on public transportation