P.S. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School

Test scores at P.S. 161 have climbed significantly from 2016 (when just 17% of students were proficient in ELA and 15% in math), reaching 41% ELA and 33% math in 2025. However, the school still trails district averages substantially — district average ELA is 51% and math is 49%. Performance varies wildly by grade: 3rd graders show strong proficiency (54% in both subjects), while 4th graders struggle significantly (25% ELA, 14% math). The overall quality rating of 1.47 out of 4 reflects this gap — the district average is 2.0. Essentially, this is a school where students are making progress but starting from a lower baseline than most of their peers in the district.

The culture here is a study in contrasts. Parents love it — 93% report satisfaction and 94% trust both teachers and the principal. Relationships between staff are excellent (96% collegial trust). But teachers report significantly lower trust in leadership (50%) and modest safety perceptions (68% — below the district average of 80.5%). The zero suspension rate is notable and suggests a restorative approach, though the extremely high chronic absenteeism rate (64%) indicates that getting students to show up consistently is a major challenge. The school has maintained perfect attendance for suspensions across three years, which is a positive discipline trend.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (76%) with substantial Black enrollment (21%), reflecting the demographics of Melrose. Nearly all students (92%) come from high-economic-need households, and 28% have IEPs — both well above typical rates. The diversity index of 38% is relatively low but mirrors the neighborhood. With an average class size of 20.5 students (matching the district average), class sizes are reasonable. This is a school serving families facing significant economic challenges, and the demographics make clear this is not a school that screens out high-need students.

Melrose is one of the Bronx's higher-poverty neighborhoods, with a median household income of just $30,000 and 38% poverty rate. Only 14% of residents have a college degree, and 10% own homes — this is a renting, working-class community. The neighborhood scores very low on safety (2/100) but high on transit (78/100), making it accessible by bus and subway. There's very little family density (38/100), meaning fewer children overall, which affects the school's enrollment base. Parks and recreation resources are limited, and environmental health concerns (high asthma rates, elevated lead exposure) are present.

The neighborhood is walkable, and many families likely walk or take short bus rides. Strong transit access helps families who commute from other parts of the Bronx or Manhattan.