P.S. 065 Mother Hale Academy

P.S. 065's 2025 scores mark a dramatic turnaround. ELA proficiency jumped from 27.4% to 43.8% and math climbed from 20.2% to 35.4% — both roughly double their 2024 levels, and the strongest showing since the school began posting these scores. That said, both subjects still sit below the district averages of 51.3% ELA and 49% math, and the overall quality score of 1.58/4 trails the district's 2.01. The improvement shows real momentum, but there's still a gap to close. By grade, fourth-graders are leading the way at 51.9% ELA and 48.1% math, while third-graders are still catching up.

The day-to-day feel here leans warm and connected. Zero suspensions over the past three years means discipline is not a flashpoint, and parent satisfaction at 96% (above the 93.5% district average) suggests families feel genuinely heard. Trust between parents and teachers runs at 95%, and 100% of families report strong adult-student relationships — these are standout numbers. On the staff side, teacher trust in the principal sits at 80%, slightly below the district average, and teacher-reported safety is 73%, notably below the 80.5% district average — worth knowing, though not framed as an alarm. Attendance at 92.1% edges out the district, but chronic absenteeism is high at 68.7%, meaning more than two-thirds of students miss enough school days to be flagged.

P.S. 065's student body mirrors its neighborhood closely: 66% Hispanic and 31% Black, with the remaining 3% split among white, Asian, and Native American students. About 24% of students have IEPs — a meaningful share that suggests a well-resourced special education program. The diversity index of 44% reflects a community that is predominantly two racial/ethnic groups rather than broadly mixed.

Mott Haven-Port Morris is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city — median household income is $29,110, the poverty rate tops 40%, and just 6% of residents own their homes. Only about 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% of households have children under 18, a relatively low share that reflects both smaller family sizes and the financial pressures families here navigate. The area is densely populated and transit-accessible, with three nearby stops on the 6 train making commutes manageable for working families.

Three 6 train stations sit within walking distance: Cypress Av (about 4 minutes), E 143 St–St Mary's St (about 6 minutes), and Brook Av (about 8 minutes).