Motley
District 33
PublicDistrict 3UnscreenedZoned

P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph

220 WEST 121 STREET

At a Glance

A community-rooted zoned school in Central Harlem serving a predominantly Black student body with strong family trust despite significant academic challenges

Best suited for

Families who value strong home-school relationships and a small, community-oriented environment over top academic metrics. Best for families who live within the zoned catchment and want a school where their child will be known personally by teachers and administrators. Parents should be prepared to provide academic support at home or seek tutoring, given the school's below-average proficiency rates. Works well for families who prioritize a restorative, low-suspension environment and strong teacher trust over raw academic performance.

What stands out
  • Exceptional family trust metrics — 94% parent-principal trust and 90% parent satisfaction both exceed district averages
  • Very low suspension rate (1%) with a declining trend, suggesting a restorative approach to discipline
  • Strong teacher collegial trust (96%) and teacher-reported instruction quality (88%)
  • Small school feel with 295 students across all grades
  • Above-district science proficiency (42.9%)
  • Rich extracurricular offerings including Algebra I, music, peer mediation, and Saturday Academy
Things to consider
  • Math proficiency at 13.8% is far below the district average of 54% — a major academic gap
  • Chronic absenteeism at 45.9% affects learning and suggests underlying family stability challenges
  • Safety perception is lower than district average (88% vs 94% teacher-reported safety)
  • Math scores dropped significantly from 31.4% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025 — volatility concerns
  • High economic need (90%) and elevated chronic absenteeism among Black students (57%) point to systemic equity challenges
  • District 3 has many high-performing charter and magnet schools that may draw competitive families away

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 3

P.S. 076 ranks well below most peer schools in District 3, which includes top performers like The Anderson School (98/100), Success Academy Charter schools (90-96/100), and the Special Music School. The district averages 59% ELA and 54% math proficiency, making this school's scores roughly half the district average. However, the school's strong trust and satisfaction metrics suggest it's serving its community in ways that standardized tests don't capture — and the improving trend line (especially in math through 2024) shows potential.

AcademicsImproving

Test scores remain significantly below District 3 averages — ELA at 32.8% and math at 13.8% compared to district averages of 59% and 54% respectively. The school earned an overall score of 0.93 out of 4. However, there is a clear positive trend: ELA rose from a pandemic low of 18.7% in 2022 to 32.8% in 2025, while math jumped dramatically to 31.4% in 2024 before settling at 13.8% in 2025. Grade-level data shows 8th graders hitting 54.3% in ELA but 0% in math (likely a data anomaly or participation issue), while younger grades struggle more consistently. Science proficiency at 42.9% is a relative bright spot.

Culturemoderate

The school culture tells a more hopeful story than the test scores suggest. Parent satisfaction sits at 90%, with parent-teacher trust at 93% and parent-principal trust at 94% — all above district averages. Teachers report exceptional collegial trust (96%) and strong instructional quality (88%). The school is safe according to 88% of teachers, and discipline is minimal with only 3 suspensions in 2023-24 (down from 7 the prior year). However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 45.9%, with Black students missing at a 57% rate — suggesting transportation, health, or stability challenges in the community.

Community

The student body is predominantly Black (75%) with Hispanic students comprising 17%, reflecting the neighborhood demographics. A quarter of students have IEPs, and 90% qualify for free or reduced lunch — indicating significant economic need. With only 295 students across pre-K through 5th grade, class sizes average 23.1, matching the district average. The diversity index of 44% is relatively low, with the school serving a homogeneous population in a historically Black neighborhood.

NeighborhoodHarlem (South)

Harlem (South) is a transit-rich, family-dense neighborhood with an education orientation score of 76.25 — meaning families here value and prioritize schooling. However, the safety score of 1.15 is extremely low, indicating higher crime density. Median home values are steep at $1.3 million despite the area's poverty rate of 20.3%. The neighborhood has excellent subway access (98.85 transit score) and a high concentration of families with children. Asthma rates and environmental lead concerns are elevated, which parents should factor into overall health considerations.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with excellent transit options, though safety concerns during certain hours may affect how younger children commute independently.

Academic Performance

ELA Proficiency

32.8%

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

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Math Proficiency

13.8%

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

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Science Proficiency

42.9%

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

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
90%
Teacher Trust
93%
Principal Trust
94%
Relationships
94%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
88%
Principal Trust
86%
Collegial Trust
96%
Safety
88%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 65 families responded (30% rate)

Programs & Activities

Academic(1)
Accelerated/Honors
Sports(2)
FootballLacrosse
Language(1)
ELL Support
Clubs & Activities(11)
Algebra IBook ClubForeign LanguageLeadershipMusicPeer MediationSaturday AcademySpelling BeeStudent CouncilTalent ShowYearbook

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Moderate
17%Hispanic/Latino
75%Black
4%White
1%Asian
1%Native American

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
90.2%
IEP Students
21.4%

Discipline

3suspensions (1% of students)
3-Year Trend↓ Declining
21
22
23

NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)

Frequently Asked Questions
Is P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph a good school?
On Motley, P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph earns an overall quality score of 23/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 3 average.
What grades does P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph serve?
P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph?
P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
Is P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph public, charter, or private?
P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph is a public school in NYC Community School District 3.
What neighborhood is P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph in?
P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph is in Harlem (South), Manhattan.
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