P.S. 028 Mount Hope

The school posts 44.1% ELA and 48.7% math proficiency — essentially matching the District 9 average in ELA and beating it by 4 points in math. But the longer trend is bumpy: scores swung dramatically from 36.8% ELA in 2023 down to 23.4% in 2024, then back up to 44.1% in 2025. This volatility makes it hard to predict sustained performance. Grade 3 is a bright spot — 50% ELA and 65.2% math — suggesting early elementary years are particularly strong. The overall 1.86/4 score is slightly above the district average of 1.79, indicating marginally better overall quality than peer schools.

Here is where P.S. 028 truly stands out: 99% of families are satisfied, and they give 100% trust ratings to both teachers and the principal. Strong relationships — the quality of family-school partnerships — also scores a perfect 100%. Teachers rate instruction quality at 91%, near the district average. However, some tension exists below the surface: teacher-principal trust sits at 78%, and teacher-reported safety is notably low at 71% (versus 83% district average). Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 60.8%, suggesting attendance struggles that may affect learning. On the positive side, the school has maintained a zero suspension rate for three consecutive years — a strong discipline record in a community where that matters.

With 605 students, P.S. 028 is a mid-sized elementary serving its zoned neighborhood. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (79%) and Black (19%), with nearly equal representation of males and females. One-quarter of students have IEPs, reflecting significant special education presence. The diversity index of 35% is low — the school is not particularly diverse internally, which is typical for a zoned school in a homogeneous neighborhood. Nearly all students (94.2%) come from high-need households, meaning the school serves a population facing economic challenges that extend beyond academics.

Mount Hope is a densely populated, working-class Bronx neighborhood with an extremely high family density (99th percentile) but very low homeownership (just 4%) and limited college-educated residents (15% BA+). It's a neighborhood where most families rent and transit access is excellent (85th percentile), making car-free life viable. The median household income is around $41,500, and the poverty rate exceeds 31%. Safety scores are low (0.38/100), reflecting the challenges of a high-crime area. There are parks and family resources in the broader area, but the neighborhood's education orientation is weak (19/100), suggesting families here don't have many high-performing school options nearby — which makes the local zoned school critical.

Given the neighborhood's high family density and excellent transit access (85th percentile), most families walk or take public transportation. The area is very pedestrian-heavy, though parents should be aware of the neighborhood's safety indicators when commuting with young children.