P.S. 030 Wilton

Test scores at P.S. 030 Wilton remain well below the District 7 averages—31.2% ELA versus 51.3% districtwide, and 24.3% math versus 49% districtwide—placing the school in the lowest tier locally. However, the trajectory shows genuine improvement: from 2016 to 2019, ELA climbed steadily from 14.7% to 26.4%, then dropped during the pandemic disruption (14.8% in 2022), and has since rebounded to 31.2%. The pattern suggests the school is actively recovering lost ground. Grade-level data reveals an interesting split: fifth graders perform strongest in ELA (38%) but struggle most in math (12%), while third graders show stronger math fundamentals (39%). The overall quality rating of 1.11 out of 4 reflects this challenging academic landscape.

The culture data tells a nuanced story. Families report exceptionally high relational quality—98% say there are strong relationships between adults and students, and parent trust in teachers reaches 93%. However, only 54% of teachers report that instruction is of high quality (versus 88% districtwide), suggesting a disconnect between parent perception and teacher capacity or training. Teacher-reported safety is 77%, slightly below the 80.5% district average. Attendance is a concern: while the 90.5% attendance rate is close to district average, chronic absenteeism is staggeringly high at 63.5%—affecting both boys and girls nearly equally, though Hispanic students (66.8%) miss more school than Black students (53.6%). The discipline record is exemplary: zero suspensions in the most recent year, continuing a near-zero trend. The school appears to prioritize relationship-building over punitive approaches.

P.S. 030 Wilton reflects the demographics of its neighborhood: 76% Hispanic and 21% Black, with virtually no Asian or white students—a school serving a predominantly Latino and Black community in one of the city's most economically constrained areas. Twenty-six percent of students have IEPs, indicating significant special education population. The diversity index sits at 37%, which is low but reflects the neighborhood's homogeneous makeup. With an average class size of 20.5, students get slightly more individual attention than the district average.

Mott Haven-Port Morris is a high-poverty, high-density neighborhood in the South Bronx characterized by substantial economic hardship. Median household income is just $29,110, and 40% of residents live below the poverty line. Only 12.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, and homeownership is rare at 6.1%—most families rent. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (16.86 percentile) and family density (23.75), though transit access is moderate (48th percentile). Environmental health concerns are notable: the area has elevated asthma rates (75.5 per 1,000) and some lead exposure risk (12.1%). There are signs of stability (66.67 percentile), suggesting long-term residents despite the challenges.

The school is accessible by walking in this dense urban neighborhood, though parents should note the area's low safety scores. Many families rely on public transit—the area has moderate transit options—and the school serves a community where most households do not own cars.