P.S. 036 Unionport

Test scores at P.S. 036 have followed an uneven but ultimately upward trajectory over the past decade. The school saw dramatic gains from 2016 to 2019 — ELA jumped from 27.5% to 50.6%, math from 35.9% to 49.5% — before pandemic disruptions caused the expected dip. The 2025 results (52.7% ELA, 53.3% math) represent a solid recovery and place the school above the District 8 averages. Grade 4 performs strongest, with 55.9% ELA and 57% math proficiency, while Grade 5 lags slightly behind. The overall quality score of 2.12 out of 4 also beats the district average of 1.88.

The climate data tells a story of strong relational foundations. Parent trust metrics are exceptional — 97% for both teachers and principal, and 98% report strong relationships with the school. Teachers report 93% safety, well above the district average of 88.92%. Instruction quality scores (81%) run below the district average of 88%, which is worth noting. But the discipline record is spotless: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. The catch is attendance — a 90.2% daily attendance rate sounds decent until you see the 60.7% chronic absenteeism, meaning over half of students are missing significant school time.

With 704 students, P.S. 036 is a medium-sized elementary school serving a neighborhood that skews working-class. The student body is 48% Hispanic, 35% Asian, 9% Black, and 5% White, with a diversity index of 67%. The economic need index of 81.6% indicates most families qualify for free or reduced lunch. PTA fundraising of $23 per student is essentially flat with the district average, suggesting moderate but not extensive extracurricular resources. The 15% IEP population is representative of typical elementary schools.

Castle Hill-Unionport is a densely populated, predominantly residential section of the Bronx with a stability score of 85.82 — families have been rooted here for generations. However, the neighborhood scores low on safety (34.48) and education orientation (28.74), and the poverty rate sits at 22.5% with a median household income of $53,555. Only 17.6% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. There are some positives: transit access is moderate (41) and the area has reasonably good access to parks and services. The crime density and asthma rates are notable concerns in the broader health environment.

Castle Hill Avenue is a commercial corridor with good bus service. Many families walk, given the neighborhood density and relatively compact residential streets. Parking can be challenging during drop-off and pickup times.