P.S. 023 The New Children's School

Test scores at P.S. 023 lag substantially behind the District 10 average — ELA proficiency of 26.5% versus 45% district-wide, and math at just 11.8% compared to the district's 43.5%. The school has shown improvement since 2016 (when ELA was only 11%), but progress has been uneven. After peaking in 2022 at 30.1% ELA, scores have declined for three consecutive years. Grade 5 performs notably better in ELA (35.9%) than in math (13.2%), suggesting stronger literacy instruction than numeracy. The overall quality score of 0.77/4 places this school firmly in the lower tier of District 10 peers.

The culture here presents a paradox: families report near-universal satisfaction and trust — 95% of parents are satisfied, and 97% trust both teachers and the principal. Teachers report high instruction quality (92%) and strong relationships (100%). Yet teacher-reported safety (72%) falls well below the district average of 87%, and trust in leadership among staff is mixed — teacher-principal trust sits at 76% with teacher collegial trust at 71%. The school has zero suspensions, which is a strength, but chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 58.9% — meaning roughly 6 in 10 students are missing significant instructional time. Attendance overall is average (90.9%), but the chronic absenteeism rate suggests underlying challenges with getting students to school consistently.

With 368 students across pre-K through 5th grade, P.S. 023 is a mid-sized elementary school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (71%) and Black (27%), with nearly identical demographic representation in the surrounding Tremont neighborhood. The economic need index of 94.3% indicates almost all students come from families facing financial hardship — consistent with the neighborhood's median household income of $32,208 and 36.2% poverty rate. Twenty-nine percent of students have IEPs, suggesting robust special education services. The diversity index of 40% reflects a relatively homogeneous student population typical of many Bronx neighborhoods.

Tremont is a densely populated, family-heavy neighborhood in the Bronx with a strong Dominican and Puerto Rican presence. The area has low homeownership (7.5%), reflecting a largely renting population, and only 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Transit access is moderate (60th percentile), but safety indicators show concerns — the neighborhood scores in the bottom 5th percentile for safety. Environmental health risks are notable, with elevated lead rates (15.2%) and high asthma emergency department visit rates (75.5 per 1,000). The area does have high family density (81st percentile), meaning many families with children live nearby.

Families in this zoned neighborhood typically walk to school, given the high family density and low car ownership. The area is densely populated with residential buildings, making short commutes common.