At a Glance
A high-achieving neighborhood school in the Financial District where nearly every child performs above grade level and families report near-universal trust in teachers and leadership
Families seeking a small, high-achieving school with exceptional parent-teacher relationships and the resources to support rich enrichment opportunities. Parents should be comfortable with a highly educated, affluent community and must prioritize attendance — the chronic absenteeism rate suggests families who value consistent school presence will fit best. This is ideal for families already in the Financial District/Battery Park City zone or those planning to relocate there who can afford the area's high housing costs.
- Exceptional academic performance: 93% ELA and 94% math proficiency — consistently among the highest-performing elementary schools in Manhattan
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — an unusually strong discipline record
- Near-universal trust: 99% parent-teacher trust, 100% teacher-principal trust, and 100% teacher collegial trust
- Very small size (156 students) creates an intimate, community feel
- Substantial PTA funding ($4,009/student) supports enrichment beyond core academics
- Very high chronic absenteeism (87.8%) despite strong overall attendance — families should understand this pattern
- Small school means limited class sections and potentially less variety in programming
- Homogeneous community: 11% economic need index means limited socioeconomic diversity
- Highly competitive neighborhood with expensive housing — school zone access may be challenging
- Chronic absenteeism rates are high across all demographic groups, suggesting a systemic issue
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 2
P.S. 150 competes in District 2, one of the highest-performing districts in the city, alongside elite schools like P.S. 77 Lower Lab School (99/100) and P.S. 290 Manhattan New School (95/100). While it may not have the perfect test scores of the top-ranked schools, its 3.74 overall score and 92.9%/94.1% proficiency rates place it firmly among Manhattan's strongest elementary options.
P.S. 150 consistently outperforms District 2 averages by a significant margin — 93% ELA vs. 73% district average and 94% math vs. 73% district average. The school has a history of strong performance, peaking around 2018-2019 before a pandemic dip in 2022, then recovering to reach all-time highs in 2024-2025. Grade-level data shows particular strength in 4th grade, where 100% of students passed ELA. This is a school where above-grade-level performance is the norm, not the exception — students here are advancing well beyond district benchmarks.
The survey data tells a remarkable story: 95% parent satisfaction, 99% parent-teacher trust, and 100% of teachers reporting trust in leadership and collegial relationships. Teacher instruction quality scores 97%, and 98% of teachers report feeling safe. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, there's a notable tension: while overall attendance is strong at 94.3%, chronic absenteeism sits at 87.8% — meaning many students miss significant school time despite the school's otherwise excellent climate. This disconnect between high trust/safety and high chronic absenteeism may warrant investigation.
P.S. 150 serves 156 students in a predominantly White and Asian student body (44% White, 26% Asian, 15% Multi-Racial, 13% Hispanic, 2% Black). This reflects the neighborhood's high-income, highly educated demographics — median household income of $192,000 with 83% of residents holding bachelor's degrees. The economic need index of just 11 confirms this is a school serving a privileged population. PTA fundraising of $625,000 ($4,009 per student) is nearly 8x the district average, enabling robust enrichment programs.
The Financial District and Battery Park City is a high-rise residential neighborhood with excellent transit access (99.23 score) and a strong family orientation (91.95). It's characterized by professionals, young families, and significant wealth. Safety scores are moderate (27.2), reflecting urban considerations, but the area offers waterfront parks, family-friendly amenities, and is highly walkable. With 24.9% homeownership and a median home value of $1.27 million, this is an expensive neighborhood that attracts families with resources.
The Financial District is extremely walkable and well-served by multiple subway lines. Most families walk or take public transit to school. The neighborhood's grid layout and pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy for older children to navigate independently.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 265 families responded (93% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 150 a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 150 earns an overall quality score of 94/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 2 average.
- What grades does P.S. 150 serve?
- P.S. 150 serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- Is P.S. 150 public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 150 is a public school in NYC Community School District 2.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 150 in?
- P.S. 150 is in Financial District-Battery Park City, Manhattan.
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