P.S. 152 Dyckman Valley

Test scores at P.S. 152 have staged a remarkable recovery, climbing from just 15.1% ELA and 17.2% math proficiency in 2022 to 47.6% in both subjects for 2025 — essentially tripling in three years. This puts the school essentially at the district average for ELA (47.1%) though slightly below for math (52.1%). The grade-level breakdown reveals stronger early performance: third-graders hit 58.5% ELA proficiency while fifth-graders lag at 40.3%, suggesting the school is currently strong in the early grades but still building momentum in upper grades. The overall 1.9/4 score places it slightly below the district average of 2.0, indicating this is a school on an upward trajectory but not yet in the upper tier of District 6.

The survey data tells a remarkably positive story: 99% of families report satisfaction, and every single parent survey respondent gave top marks for trust in teachers and the principal. Teachers report 100% belief in instruction quality and 98% feel safe at school — both substantially above district averages. Yet this picture of strong climate coexists with a troubling 68% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning the vast majority of students are missing significant school time. Hispanic students show a 69% chronic absenteeism rate versus 20% for Black students, suggesting attendance barriers may be hitting certain populations harder. The discipline data is exemplary — zero suspensions for three straight years — indicating the school has found alternatives to exclusionary discipline.

P.S. 152 serves a predominantly Hispanic student body (85%) in a neighborhood that matches that profile — the area around Nagle Avenue in upper Manhattan has a large Dominican and Puerto Rican community. Ten percent of students identify as multi-racial, with minimal Asian (1%) and White (1%) representation. With an economic need index of 87.2% — well above typical district averages — the school serves a population with significant socioeconomic challenges. The diversity index of 32% is relatively low, reflecting the homogeneous neighborhood demographic. This is very much a neighborhood school serving its immediate community.

Washington Heights (North) is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood in upper Manhattan with a strong family orientation (family density score of 79.69). The area offers solid subway access and is more affordable than Manhattan neighborhoods to the south, with a median home value around $575,000. However, safety scores are notably low (9.96 percentile), and environmental health indicators show concerns including elevated lead rates and high asthma emergency department visits. The neighborhood has a 41.8% college-educated population, suggesting many families value education — which aligns with the school's strong survey satisfaction despite academic challenges.

Families in this dense urban neighborhood typically walk or use public transit. The area is well-served by subway lines, and the school's zoned status means most students live within a short radius. The neighborhood's pedestrian traffic can be heavy during school hours.