P.S. 042 Claremont

Test scores at P.S. 042 are below the District 9 averages — the school posted 27.3% proficiency in ELA and 38.1% in math, compared to the district's roughly 45% on both. Looking at the grade-level breakdown, Grade 5 performs notably stronger in ELA (43.2%) than Grade 3 (16.4%), suggesting older students may be benefiting from interventions or that the school has improved its reading instruction over time. The historical trend shows real growth from 2016 to 2019 (ELA climbed from 16.3% to 32.4%), a pandemic dip in 2022, and a partial recovery since. Still, the current overall score of 1.31 out of 4 places this school in the lower tier compared to its peers.

Here's where P.S. 042 tells a more nuanced story. Parent satisfaction sits at an extraordinary 100%, with 99% parent-teacher trust and 96% parent-principal trust — numbers you rarely see in any school. Teachers report strong relationships (100%) and solid collegial trust (84%), though teacher-principal trust is somewhat lower at 74% and teacher-reported safety at 79% leaves room for improvement. The discipline record is impeccable: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. But attendance is a real concern — the school averages 87.8% attendance, below the district's 90.1%, and a striking 51.2% of students are chronically absent. This isn't a school with a discipline problem; it's one where getting kids through the door consistently appears to be the challenge.

P.S. 042 serves 312 students in a neighborhood where 65% of residents are Hispanic and 32% are Black — nearly identical to the school's demographics. The economic need index of 94.2% is extremely high, meaning virtually all families qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 34% of students have IEPs. The diversity index sits at 44%, reflecting a predominantly two-race community. This is a school that genuinely reflects its neighborhood: it's not a destination school drawing students from elsewhere, it's the local option for families who live in the surrounding blocks.

Claremont Village is a densely populated, transit-friendly area in the South Bronx with limited green space but strong bus and subway access. The median household income of about $30,500 reflects significant economic hardship, and only 3% of residents own homes. Safety scores are low (11.49 out of 100), which is a reality families here navigate daily. The neighborhood has a high family density (57.85 percentile) but low education orientation (22.99), suggesting this isn't a community where academic pressure is a dominant cultural force. There are parks and community resources nearby, though they're not abundant.

This is a zoned neighborhood school — most families walk their children to school, which is typical for the area and contributes to the sense of community. The high transit score (75.48) means older students and parents can access the school easily via bus and subway.