At a Glance
A zoned elementary school in a high-need Washington Heights neighborhood where families show strong trust in leadership despite academic challenges
Best suited for
Families who live within the zone and prioritize a small, community-based school with strong parent-principal relationships and a peaceful disciplinary environment over academic performance; families willing to actively support homework and attendance given the high chronic absenteeism rates; those who value the zero-tolerance suspension approach and want their child in a school where nearly every family reports feeling connected.
Overall Rating
NY State test proficiency
What stands out
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — exceptional disciplinary climate
- Near-universal family trust (95-96%) in teachers and principal despite academic challenges
- 99% of families report strong relationships with the school community
- Grade 3 math proficiency at 54% — significantly above school average
Things to consider
- Chronic absenteeism at 58.7% means more than half of students miss substantial instruction — a major academic risk factor
- Test scores significantly trail district averages in both subjects
- Teacher-principal trust (58%) and instruction quality ratings (75%) suggest internal staff concerns not visible to families
- High economic need (84%) and 26% IEP population indicate significant student support needs
- Grade 4 shows a sharp dip in both subjects (20.5% ELA, 29.5% math) — a middle-grade slump to monitor
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 6
Among District 6 peers including high-performing charters like Zeta (93) and Success Academy (90), P.S. 048's overall score of 1.36/4 places it near the bottom of the district hierarchy. However, its zoned status and family trust metrics distinguish it from charter competitors — this isn't a school competing on academics but rather a neighborhood institution serving families who live nearby.
Academics
Test scores at P.S. 048 fall well below the District 6 averages — 31% ELA and 37% math versus the district's 47% and 52% respectively. However, the school shows a positive long-term trajectory from 2019's 36% ELA peak, with scores fluctuating through the pandemic before climbing back. Grade 3 shows particular strength in math (54%), suggesting early intervention may be working, while Grade 4 dips significantly in both subjects, indicating a potential middle-grade gap worth watching.
Culture
The survey data reveals a striking paradox: families report near-universal trust (95-96%) and 99% report strong relationships, yet chronic absenteeism sits at a troubling 58.7% — far above the district average. Teacher-reported safety is strong at 90%, and the school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, teacher-principal trust lags at 58%, and instruction quality ratings (75%) fall below district averages, suggesting internal staff concerns that may be invisible to families. The day-to-day feel appears warm for families but may carry underlying professional tensions.
Community
With 88% Hispanic enrollment, P.S. 048 reflects its Washington Heights neighborhood's demographics almost exactly. The student body is economically pressed — 84% economic need index and 26% IEP students — yet the school maintains a small, stable enrollment of 361 students with class sizes (21.9) matching the district average. The diversity index of 28% is low, meaning most students share similar backgrounds, which can foster strong community cohesion but also limited exposure to diverse perspectives.
Neighborhood
Washington Heights is a working-class Manhattan neighborhood known for its Dominican heritage, excellent transit access (76th percentile), and high family density (80th percentile). The area offers strong community resources but faces environmental challenges — elevated asthma rates and lead exposure concerns appear in the data. With only 17.5% homeownership, most families rent, contributing to residential instability that may explain the high chronic absenteeism rates.
Highly walkable urban setting — families typically arrive on foot from surrounding blocks, 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
Historical Trends
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 321 families responded (87% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Economic Need & Special Populations
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Economic Need & Special Populations
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Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek earns an overall quality score of 34/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 6 average.
- What grades does P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek serve?
- P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek?
- P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek is a public school in NYC Community School District 6.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek in?
- P.S. 048 P.O. Michael J. Buczek is in Washington Heights (North), Manhattan.