At a Glance
A high-performing zoned K-8 school in a stable, family-oriented Bronx neighborhood that's beaten the odds with rising test scores and zero suspensions
Best suited for
Families who live in the Pelham Bay zoned area and want a stable, traditional school with strong academics, minimal discipline issues, and extensive extracurriculars — particularly those who value the K-8 model and aren't seeking a charter lottery spot. Works well for families who can support consistent attendance and want their child in a school where teachers and leadership have strong trust relationships with families.
Overall Rating
NY State test proficiency
What stands out
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — exceptional for a middle school
- Math proficiency has doubled since 2022 (36.4% to 60.4%)
- 100/100 program richness score with 25+ extracurriculars including sports, arts, STEM, and test prep
- 94% parent-principal trust and 93% parent satisfaction — families feel heard
- Grade 6 math at 75% proficiency is unusually strong
- Serves K-8 under one roof, giving families a single transition point
Things to consider
- Chronic absenteeism at 65.1% is high and affects learning — families should prioritize consistent attendance
- The school is zoned only — no lottery or Screened admissions, so you must live in the catchment
- Limited high-performing peer schools in District 8 means this school carries more weight locally
- Longer school day may not suit all families' schedules
- Middle school grades show slightly lower proficiency than elementary — the academic gains seen in younger grades flatten out in grades 7-8
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 8
P.S. 071 sits in District 8, which has few high-performing options. Compared to peer schools in the district, it performs above average — though charter schools like Success Academy Bronx 4 (96/100) and Icahn Charter 7 (75/100) score higher on quality metrics, P.S. 071's comprehensive K-8 model and zero-suspension climate offer something those options may not. It's the strongest traditional zoned option in its immediate area.
Academics
P.S. 071 consistently outperforms District 8 averages — posting 55% ELA proficiency versus the district's 46%, and 60.4% math versus 48%. The school has shown a steady upward climb from 2016's 41.5% ELA to this year's 55%, with math jumping dramatically from 36.4% in 2022 to over 60% now. Grade 6 math stands out particularly at 75%, and the school earns a 2.31 overall score compared to the district average of 1.88. These gains reflect sustained instructional focus rather than one-time gains.
Culture
The survey data here is striking. Parents report 93% satisfaction, and both parent-teacher trust and parent-principal trust hit 94%. Teachers rate instruction quality at 89% and report 94% feeling safe at work. The school has logged zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a rarity in middle schools and a strong signal about the climate. However, the 65.1% chronic absenteeism rate is a real concern and suggests that while families feel positive about the school once they're there, getting students through the door consistently is a challenge.
Community
The student body reflects the neighborhood's diversity: 62% Hispanic, 21% White, 11% Asian, 5% Black, with a diversity index of 61%. At 65.9% economic need index, this is a working- to middle-class community — more affluent than many Bronx neighborhoods but not wealthy. The 19% IEP population is notable, and the school offers ELL support, showing it serves a range of learners.
Neighborhood
Pelham Bay-Country Club-City Island is one of the Bronx's more stable, family-oriented areas, with a 92.34 stability score reflecting long-term residents and homeownership rates of 45%. The median household income of $84,669 and poverty rate of just 12.8% stand out compared to typical Bronx numbers. Families have access to local parks and the area has moderate transit options — it's car-friendly but workable for families relying on buses and trains. The education orientation score of 60.54 suggests this is a neighborhood where families take academics seriously.
The neighborhood is residential and walkable, with families often walking or driving their children to school. It's not a high-transit area compared to central Bronx neighborhoods, so families should expect a commute if using public transit.
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
Science Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Science exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Historical Trends
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 556 families responded (52% rate)
Programs & Activities
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Economic Need & Special Populations
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.
Compare head-to-head
Explore nearby
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala earns an overall quality score of 58/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 8 average.
- What grades does P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala serve?
- P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala serves grades K to 8.
- How do students get into P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala?
- P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
- Is P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala is a public school in NYC Community School District 8.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala in?
- P.S. 071 Rose E. Scala is in Pelham Bay-Country Club-City Island, Bronx.