P.S. 025 Bilingual School

Test scores at P.S. 025 have staged a remarkable recovery, climbing from 19% ELA and 17% math in 2022 to 51.7% and 47.3% respectively in 2025. The school now sits roughly at district averages—slightly ahead in ELA (51.7% vs. 51.3%) but modestly behind in math (47.3% vs. 49%). The grade-level breakdown reveals strong fifth-grade ELA performance at 64.7%, though fifth-grade math lags at 44.9%. The overall score of 1.98/4 places it just below the district average of 2.01, suggesting the school is catching up but not yet leading.

The culture here is a genuine strength. Parent satisfaction at 96% and parent-principal trust at 98% are exceptional—even more impressive given the high-need population served. Teachers report strong collegial trust (88%) and near-universal trust in leadership (95%). Teacher-reported safety at 86% exceeds the district average of 80.5%. The discipline record is spotless: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. Chronic absenteeism at 76.5% is high, but this reflects a district-wide challenge rather than a school-specific failure—attendance rate actually slightly exceeds the district average (92.8% vs. 91.1%).

Nearly 90% of students identify as Hispanic, reflecting the school's bilingual mission and the neighborhood's demographics. The student body is remarkably homogeneous (diversity index just 25%), with 10% Black students and negligible Asian or white enrollment. Economic need is extreme—91.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—yet the school community appears tightly bonded. PTA fundraising of $21 per student slightly exceeds the district average, a sign of active family engagement despite economic constraints. More than a quarter of students (26%) have IEPs, indicating robust special education services.

Melrose is a high-poverty, high-transit neighborhood in the South Bronx. Median household income sits at just $30,236, and only 10% of residents own homes. The area scores poorly on safety (1.92 out of 100) and stability (27.2), with elevated environmental health concerns including lead exposure rates (15.2%) and asthma-related emergency visits (75.5 per 1,000). On the upside, transit access is strong (77.78), making commutes manageable. The neighborhood's low family density (37.93) and education orientation (29.5) suggest fewer family-focused amenities than in other parts of the city.

Families primarily arrive on foot or via public transit—the neighborhood's high transit score reflects reliable bus and subway access. Walkability is moderate; the area is densely populated but not particularly pedestrian-friendly given traffic and safety concerns.