P.S. 132 Juan Pablo Duarte

Test scores here have climbed steeply over the past decade, with math now sitting at 60.2% — notably above the district average of 52% — and ELA at 46.7%, essentially matching the district. The most recent year (2024 to 2025) showed a particularly sharp jump in reading, up 16 points. Grade-level breakdown reveals a pattern: 4th graders are performing strongest (64% ELA, 77% math), while 5th graders lag (24% ELA, 41% math), suggesting the school may be building momentum that hasn't fully reached the upper grades yet. The overall score of 2.14 out of 4 sits modestly above the district average of 1.98.

The climate data tells a striking story. Parents report near-perfect satisfaction (99%) and trust in both teachers and the principal. Teachers give their own instruction quality a perfect 100% and rate safety at 92%. But the attendance numbers are concerning — while the overall attendance rate is a respectable 94.2%, a whopping 82.9% of students are considered chronically absent (missing 10%+ of school days). This is notably higher than the district average and suggests a significant chunk of the student body struggles with consistent attendance. On the discipline front, suspensions have been eliminated entirely — zero in each of the past three years, down from one in 2021-22.

This is one of the least diverse schools in the city by standard measures — 94% Hispanic, 4% Black, 1% White, with a diversity index of just 14%. That homogeneity reflects the neighborhood itself, which is heavily Dominican and one of the most family-dense areas in Manhattan (80th percentile). Nearly 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 35% have IEPs — a higher special education population than many peer schools. With only 148 kids across all grades, the school is genuinely small, which means every family likely knows most other families.

Washington Heights is a vibrant, transit-rich neighborhood in Upper Manhattan where Dominican flags line the commercial corridors and families spill onto the streets on weekend afternoons. The area scores very high on family density (80th percentile) and transit access (76th percentile), making it workable for families without cars. The median home value is $575,000 and homeownership is low (17.5%), reflecting a community of renters. Safety scores in the broader area are moderate — the neighborhood has seen improvement, though some blocks near the school have elevated crime density. Education orientation is strong (60th percentile), with many families prioritizing schools.

Very walkable — this is a dense urban neighborhood where most families arrive on foot. The 168th Street subway station is nearby, and the area has good bus coverage. Families driving in face typical Upper Manhattan traffic and limited parking.