P.S. 116 Mary Lindley Murray

Test scores at P.S. 116 have been volatile — the school hit a high mark in 2023 with 75.4% ELA and 69.6% math proficiency, only to drop to 60.2% and 51.6% respectively in 2025. Both metrics now fall below the District 2 average (73.2% ELA, 72.5% math), placing this zoned school well behind its peer schools like P.S. 77 Lower Lab (99/100) and P.S. 290 (95/100). There is a notable progression by grade — fifth graders outperform third and fourth graders substantially — but the overall trajectory has been downward since 2023, and the 2.24 overall score is notably below the district average of 2.91.

The survey data reveals a school where relationships are genuinely strong: 100% of families report strong relationships, 96% trust teachers, and 98% trust the principal. Teachers report equally high trust in leadership (94%) and each other (100%), with 91% feeling safe at work. Yet this warm culture coexists with a troubling attendance reality — only 81.5% average attendance and 44.7% chronic absenteeism, driven largely by white (73.1%) and Asian (75.9%) families, while Black (29.3%) and Hispanic (23.5%) families have much lower chronic absence rates. Discipline is excellent with zero suspensions, a marked improvement from two suspensions in 2021-22.

The student body is predominantly white (44%) with substantial Asian (21%) and Hispanic (21%) representation, reflecting the neighborhood's high-income, highly educated demographics (82% BA+ rate, $137K median household income). The diversity index of 78% is high, and the economic need index of 30% is relatively low for the city. At 381 students, the school is smaller than many District 2 zoned schools, which may contribute to the intimate community feel reflected in survey responses. The PTA fundraising of $453 per student is decent but below the district average of $517.

Murray Hill-Kips Bay is one of Manhattan's most family-oriented neighborhoods, scoring 96.55 on family density and 95.4 on education orientation. Transit access is exceptional (94.25), making commutes easy across the city. However, the safety score of 25.29 is notably low, with elevated crime density and collision rates. The area has high homeownership (28.1%) and a median home value near $970,000, indicating a financially comfortable — though not necessarily young — population (only 7.6% households with children). Parks and family resources are available, but the environmental health score (13.41) flags some concerns.

Very walkable — the neighborhood's high transit score (94.25) means most families arrive on foot or via subway, and the area is pedestrian-friendly despite some traffic concerns on major avenues