Motley
District 3131
PublicDistrict 31Zoned

P.S. 060 Alice Austen

55 Merrill Avenue

At a Glance

A zoned elementary school with sky-high family trust and zero suspensions, serving a stable Staten Island neighborhood where parents overwhelmingly feel heard

Best suited for

Families who live within the zone and prioritize a school with exceptional family relationships, proven safety, and zero disciplinary incidents over top test scores. Particularly well-suited for families with younger children (grades K-3) where early literacy results are strong, and for those who value the community's stability and high homeownership rates over competitive academic benchmarks. Families seeking higher test scores may want to explore charter or magnet options elsewhere in the district.

What stands out
  • Exceptional family trust: 96% parent-teacher trust, 92% parent-principal trust, 100% report strong relationships
  • Zero suspensions for three consecutive years despite serving a full student body
  • 99% teacher-reported safety—the highest possible rating
  • 97% of teachers rate instruction quality highly
  • 93% parent satisfaction matching the district average despite lower test scores
  • Strong third-grade performance (65.1% ELA) suggests strong early literacy instruction
Things to consider
  • Test scores in grades 4 and 5 lag behind third grade—parents of older elementary students may want to monitor progress
  • Math scores (49.4%) remain well below the district average of 61%
  • Chronic absenteeism at 74.3% is high, possibly reflecting post-pandemic attendance habits rather than school issues
  • PTA fundraising below district average—less parent-driven supplemental funding compared to peers
  • Teacher-principal trust (81%) is solid but lower than the exceptional family trust scores
  • Students must live in the zone to attend—no lottery or application process

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 31

Among the six peer schools in District 31 with quality ratings, P.S. 060 ranks below all of them: P.S. 035 (99/100), Naples Street (97/100), P.S. 005 (96/100), P.S. 008 (92/100), P.S. 023 (86/100), and P.S. 003 (85/100). The school falls below district averages in academics and overall quality score, though it outperforms in family trust and safety metrics that don't appear in those peer rankings. Among zoned schools in this stable, affluent neighborhood, this may be the most accessible option for families who live nearby.

AcademicsImproving

Test scores show meaningful recovery from pandemic lows, with ELA climbing from 40.8% in 2022 to 58.2% in 2025 and math jumping from 33.5% to 49.4% over the same period. However, both subjects remain below the district averages of 61.3% ELA and 61.0% math. Third graders perform strongest (65.1% ELA, 55.4% math), while scores dip in grades 4 and 5—suggesting the school may need to strengthen curriculum as students advance. The overall quality score of 2.15 out of 4 places it below the district average of 2.45.

Culturestrong

The climate data is extraordinary: 99% of teachers report feeling safe, 97% rate instruction quality highly, and families give 93% satisfaction scores. Parent-teacher trust hits 96% and parent-principal trust reaches 92%. Perhaps most notably, the school has logged zero suspensions for three consecutive years—an unusual record that suggests strong relationship-based discipline. Teacher-principal trust (81%) is solid though slightly lower than family trust, and teacher collegial trust sits at 86%. The chronic absenteeism rate of 74.3% is notably high, which may reflect post-pandemic attendance challenges rather than school climate issues given the strong survey responses.

Community

The school enrollment of 709 students reflects a diverse mix: 46% white, 28% Hispanic, 20% Asian, and 4% Black, with a diversity index of 70%. This aligns with the neighborhood's character—middle-income with a 34.4% rate of residents holding bachelor's degrees. Economic need sits at 49.8%, and 27% of students have IEPs. The PTA raised $62,280 last year (about $88 per student), which is below the district average of $141 per student—families may be less focused on fundraising than at peer schools.

NeighborhoodNew Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis

New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis is one of Staten Island's most stable, family-oriented neighborhoods. With a median household income of $98,222, 76% homeownership, and a poverty rate of just 10.5%, it offers economic stability. Safety scores of 85.06 are strong, and the education orientation score of 65.13 indicates a community that values schools. Transit access is limited (18.39)—this is very much a car-dependent area—and the health environment scores exceptionally high (99.23).

Walkable within the neighborhood, though most families will drive given the low transit score (18.39) and Staten Island's car-centric layout. The area is suburban in character with residential streets surrounding the school.

Academic Performance

ELA Proficiency

58.2%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Math Proficiency

49.4%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
93%
Teacher Trust
96%
Principal Trust
92%
Relationships
100%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
97%
Principal Trust
81%
Collegial Trust
86%
Safety
99%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 329 families responded (56% rate)

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Diverse
28%Hispanic/Latino
4%Black
46%White
20%Asian
2%Multi-Racial

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

PTA Fundraising

2024-25
$62,280total raised
$88per student

Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
49.8%
IEP Students
26.7%

Discipline

0suspensions (0% of students)
3-Year Trend— Stable
21
22
23

NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)

Frequently Asked Questions
Is P.S. 060 Alice Austen a good school?
On Motley, P.S. 060 Alice Austen earns an overall quality score of 54/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 31 average.
What grades does P.S. 060 Alice Austen serve?
P.S. 060 Alice Austen serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into P.S. 060 Alice Austen?
P.S. 060 Alice Austen admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
Is P.S. 060 Alice Austen public, charter, or private?
P.S. 060 Alice Austen is a public school in NYC Community School District 31.
What neighborhood is P.S. 060 Alice Austen in?
P.S. 060 Alice Austen is in New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis, Staten Island.
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