P.S. 098 Shorac Kappock

The school's 37% ELA and 35.4% math proficiency place it below the district averages of 47% and 52%, respectively. However, the trajectory tells a story of real growth: scores have more than doubled from 2016 when only 16% of students were proficient in ELA and 14% in math. The 2023-2024 school year showed an especially strong jump (50.6% math), though 2025 numbers softened somewhat. Grade 5 performs strongest in ELA (50%), while Grade 4 leads in math (40.5%). The school earns a 1.45 overall score versus the district average of 1.98 — students here are progressing but still catching up.

This is where the school shines in parent perceptions: 94% parent satisfaction, 97% parent-teacher trust, and 97% parent-principal trust. Teachers report strong collegial relationships (88%) and high instruction quality (90%). However, there's a split in trust — while families trust leadership deeply, teacher-principal trust sits at only 65%. The school has zero suspensions, which reflects either strong behavior management or perhaps a reluctance to suspend. The attendance picture is concerning: 65.7% chronic absenteeism means most students are missing significant school time, despite an overall attendance rate of 91.5% that matches the district average.

The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic (93%), with small Black (3%) and White (4%) populations — reflecting Inwood's demographics. Nearly all students (82%) come from economically disadvantaged households, and 16% have IEPs. At 335 students across pre-K through 5th grade, it's a mid-sized elementary school with class sizes averaging 21.9 students, essentially matching the district average. PTA fundraising is very low at $4 per student versus the district average of $52, suggesting limited extra resources from families.

Inwood is a working-class Manhattan neighborhood known for its Latino identity, local bakeries, and access to Inwood Hill Park. The area scores poorly on safety (10th percentile) and health environment, with elevated asthma rates and air quality concerns. Transit access is solid (64th percentile), and the neighborhood is family-dense, though homeownership is rare at just 9.2%. Many families rent and the median home value is $508,000, making this an economically stretched community.

Families likely walk or take public transit — Inwood is transit-friendly with subway access, though the school is in the northern part of the neighborhood. Street parking is limited for drivers.