At a Glance
A small, neighborhood zoned school for pre-K through 2nd grade where families feel absolutely heard — but academics and school climate metrics lag behind district averages
Families who live in the P.S. 112 zone and want a small, neighborhood-based early childhood experience — especially those who prioritize strong parent-school relationships and a school with zero suspensions over top test scores. Parents should be comfortable with some uncertainty on academic performance metrics and should be drawn to the school's evident community feel. This is well-suited for families who value being known by name and want their young children (pre-K through 2nd grade) in a setting where trust runs high.
- Exceptional parent trust and satisfaction (99% satisfaction, 100% trust in teachers and principal)
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a rare discipline record
- Serves pre-K through 2nd grade, making it a true early childhood neighborhood school
- Small enrollment (222 students) means a tight-knit community feel
- 39% IEP population — strong support systems for young learners with developmental needs
- No ELA or Math proficiency data provided, so academic performance relative to peers is unclear
- Teacher-reported instruction quality (80%) and safety (82%) both run below district averages
- Teacher survey sample is small (19 responses), so take those numbers as directional
- The neighborhood has significant safety and environmental health challenges that affect daily life
- High economic need (87.8%) means the school serves a very vulnerable population — this is a strength in community mission but also a challenge for outcomes
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 4
P.S. 112 sits in District 4, which includes some of Manhattan's highest-performing charter schools (Tag Young Scholars at 97/100, Success Academy Harlem 3 at 95/100). Against those peers, P.S. 112 doesn't compete on test scores — but it's not trying to. It's a zoned neighborhood school serving pre-K through 2nd grade, while many of those peer schools are charter academies with selective admissions. Among traditional zoned schools in the area, this one stands out for its family trust and zero-suspension discipline, though academics remain a question mark without proficiency data.
Proficiency data wasn't provided for this school, so direct academic comparisons aren't possible. However, teacher-reported instruction quality sits at 80% — below the district average of 87% — which suggests some room for growth in how teachers feel about their instructional support. Class sizes average 20.1 students, nearly identical to the district average, so small-group attention here isn't dramatically different from nearby schools.
Here's where P.S. 112 tells a striking story. Parent satisfaction hits 99% — way above the 91% district average — and every single parent who responded gave top marks for trust in teachers and the principal. These numbers are exceptional. Teachers, though, are slightly more measured: 80% rate instruction quality strong, 82% feel safe, and 85-86% trust leadership. Those teacher scores run a few points below district norms. Attendance data shows the school tracks closely with the district average of 87.7%. Perhaps most notably, the school has logged zero suspensions for three straight years — a consistent record that suggests a restorative or relationship-based approach to discipline.
With 222 students, this is a small school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (68%) and Black (21%), reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. A striking 87.8% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — among the highest economic need in the district. Thirty-nine percent have IEPs, which is notably high and likely reflects the early grades served (pre-K through 2nd) and the school's role in identifying and supporting young learners with developmental needs. The diversity index sits at 54%, which is moderate.
East Harlem (North) is a high-density, high-need neighborhood where families are everywhere but resources are stretched. Only 29.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, and poverty affects a third of households. Transit is excellent (82.76 percentile) — families can get around without a car — but safety scores are very low (9.58 percentile), and environmental health indicators like asthma rates and lead exposure are concerning. That said, the neighborhood has an education orientation score of 72.8, meaning families here value schools even when other conditions are tough. There's a strong sense of community identity here despite the challenges.
Very walkable and transit-rich — most families arrive on foot or by subway, which is typical for dense East Harlem. The neighborhood's high transit score means commuting from other parts of Manhattan or the Bronx is feasible.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 122 families responded (60% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades Pre-K to 2 in East Harlem (North).
- What grades does P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa serve?
- P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa serves grades Pre-K to 2.
- How do students get into P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa?
- P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa is a public school in NYC Community School District 4.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa in?
- P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa is in East Harlem (North), Manhattan.
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.