P.S. 154 Harriet Tubman

Test scores here have climbed significantly since 2016, when just 26% of students passed ELA and a mere 9% passed math. Today's 42% ELA and 46% math proficiency represent real growth, but the school still sits below the district averages of 54% and 51% respectively. The data reveals an interesting pattern: 4th graders are performing strongly (76% math, 52% ELA), while 5th graders are struggling (28% math, 32% ELA). This suggests the school may be improving at the early grades but still has work to do in upper elementary. With an overall quality score of 1.76 out of 4, this school is below the district average of 2.09.

The survey data here is striking. Parents and teachers give the school overwhelmingly positive marks: 98% trust between families and teachers, 98% trust in the principal, and 100% of teachers rate instruction quality as strong. Safety perceptions are high (95% of teachers feel safe, compared to 89% district-wide). However, there's a concerning tension: chronic absenteeism is extremely high at 57.5%, meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time. The attendance rate of 90.3% is technically above district average, but the chronic absence figure suggests many families struggle with consistent attendance. Discipline is minimal — just 3 suspensions last year — though that number has crept up from 1 in prior years.

This is a predominantly Black and Hispanic school in a neighborhood with similar demographics. About 63% of students are Black, 30% are Hispanic, and the economic need index is a steep 91.4% — meaning nearly all students come from households facing significant financial hardship. The diversity index is 52%, which is moderate. With just 227 students across all grades and an average class size of 18.7, the school is small and intimate. PTA fundraising is notably low at $12 per student (compared to $87 district-wide), reflecting the economic realities of the community.

Harlem is a neighborhood of sharp contrasts. Families benefit from excellent transit access (96th percentile) and very high family density, making it easy to get around without a car. However, the median household income is just $54,704, and 25.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Homeownership is rare at just 13%, meaning most families rent. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (2 out of 100) and health environment indicators, including elevated asthma rates and lead exposure risks. Education orientation scores a moderate 66, suggesting some but not overwhelming emphasis on schools in the community.

Families typically walk to school given the neighborhood's high walkability and family density. The 127th Street location is accessible via multiple subway lines.