At a Glance
A high-performing zoned school in Gramercy where rock-solid trust between families and staff meets consistently strong academics
Families who want a high-performing zoned school with a strong sense of community and partnership. Parents who value teacher trust and a positive school culture as much as test scores will find a good fit here. It's particularly well-suited for families who live in the Gramercy zone and want their kids in a neighborhood school without the lottery competition of districtwide gifted programs.
- Near-perfect trust scores: 98% parent-teacher trust, 98% parent-principal trust, 99% teacher-principal trust
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a discipline record that reflects a positive school culture
- Consistent academic performance: scores have stayed in the mid-to-high 80s for nearly a decade
- Strong parent engagement: 54% survey response rate with 285 family responses — well above typical
- Progressive programming: the school uses the REST (Rethinking Equity and Teaching for Equity and Restorative Justice) approach
- The student body is 56% white in a district that's growing more diverse — families prioritizing racial diversity may want to discuss this
- The neighborhood safety score (17.24) is low, though this reflects urban Manhattan broadly — families should visit to form their own impression
- Class sizes match the district average (25.8) — nothing unusually small here
- Only 3% Black students — this underrepresentation is worth considering for families who value demographic diversity in classrooms
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 2
Among District 2 peers, P.S. 040 performs above average academically but sits below schools like P.S. 77 Lower Lab (99/100), Success Academy charters (95-96/100), and P.S. 290 Manhattan New School (95/100). However, those schools use competitive admissions; P.S. 040 is zoned and achieves these results with a general admission population. The school's real differentiator isn't raw test scores — it's the combination of strong academics with exceptional family-teacher trust and zero suspension discipline.
Test scores here are strong — 86% ELA and 87% math proficiency put this school roughly 13-15 points above the District 2 average. The school has maintained this lead consistently, with scores hovering in the mid-to-high 80s since 2016, dipping during the pandemic (82% ELA in 2022), then rebounding strongly. Grade 5 students showed the strongest ELA performance (88.5%), while Grade 3 led in math (88.5%). The overall 3.47/4 score reflects consistent quality rather than a single standout year.
The survey numbers here are extraordinary: 98% parent trust in teachers, 98% in the principal, 100% of teachers report feeling safe, and 100% report strong collegial trust. Parent satisfaction sits at 95% against a district average of 92%. The discipline record is clean — zero suspensions for three consecutive years. Attendance is solid at 94.2% (above the 92% district average). This is a school where the adults clearly work well together, and families feel heard.
The student body is predominantly white (56%) with meaningful Asian (14%), Hispanic (18%), and multiracial (10%) representation. Only 3% Black students — a demographic gap worth noting in a district that's becoming more diverse. Economic need is low (18%), reflecting the neighborhood's affluence. The diversity index of 69% is moderate; the school is less diverse than many District 2 peers but more diverse than some neighboring zoned schools.
Gramercy is a family-friendly Manhattan enclave known for its quiet residential streets, Gramercy Park (one of only two private parks in the city), and easy access to transit. The neighborhood scores 97.7 for transit — you're well-connected here. Safety perception (17.24) is notably low, reflecting the broader urban considerations of Manhattan, though this is a walkable, residential area with strong family infrastructure. The education orientation score (96.93) tells you this is a neighborhood where families prioritize schools.
Gramercy is highly walkable, and most zoned families arrive on foot. The area is stroller-friendly with good subway access nearby.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 285 families responded (54% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens earns an overall quality score of 87/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 2 average.
- What grades does P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens serve?
- P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens?
- P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens is a public school in NYC Community School District 2.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens in?
- P.S. 040 Augustus Saint-Gaudens is in Gramercy, Manhattan.
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