P.S. 121 Throop

Test scores at P.S. 121 Throop sit below the District 11 average — 47.4% ELA and 50.4% math versus district averages of 56.7% and 55.6% respectively. But context matters: the school suffered a sharp dip during the pandemic (ELA fell to 27.2% in 2022) and has been climbing back steadily. The 2025 scores represent a 20-point ELA gain and nearly 19-point math gain from that low point. Fifth graders perform best, with 56.8% meeting ELA standards — competitive with some district peers. However, teacher-reported instruction quality (83%) trails the district average of 92%, which may explain some of the proficiency gap.

The culture here feels genuinely positive on the family side — 93% of parents report satisfaction, and trust in both teachers (94%) and the principal (93%) is high. Teachers also report strong collegial trust (85%) and say students feel safe (91%). However, there's a notable gap in teacher-principal trust (73%), which is lower than parent trust and may warrant attention. The discipline record is exemplary: zero suspensions for three years running. The major red flag is chronic absenteeism — 60.2% of students are chronically absent, far above typical rates. This affects everyone in the building and likely contributes to the test score challenges.

With 580 students, P.S. 121 Throop is a mid-sized elementary school. The demographics reflect the neighborhood: 44% Black, 41% Hispanic, 10% Asian, and 5% White, with a diversity index of 64%. About 16% of students have IEPs, and the economic need index sits at 73.4% — indicating significant poverty. Despite that, families here are engaged: PTA fundraising reaches $94 per student, nearly four times the district average. This is a community that prioritizes its school.

Pelham Gardens is a stable, residential Bronx neighborhood dominated by single-family homes (56.5% homeownership) and a median home value of $646,000. The area feels family-oriented, with a high stability score (95th percentile) but lower transit accessibility. Median household income is $90,000 with a modest 13% poverty rate — more working- and middle-class than many parts of the Bronx. Safety scores are moderate (60th percentile), and there's a notable asthma and environmental health concern in the area (asthma ER rate is 75.5 per 1,000).

Most families walk or drive — the neighborhood is residential and less transit-dense, which makes car pickup/drop-off common. There's no subway at the doorstep, so families relying on bus or subway will have longer commutes.