At a Glance
A high-performing dual-language Mandarin school where students outperform city averages by 30+ points
Families who value dual-language education (Mandarin) and want a high-performing, high-trust school without selective admissions. Parents should be comfortable with an urban environment and may want to weigh the neighborhood's safety context. The school draws committed families who appreciate its academic rigor and community cohesion — it's less of a neighborhood convenience school and more of a destination school for those seeking its specific model.
- Dual-language Mandarin immersion program (K-8)
- Test scores 30+ points above district averages in both subjects
- Exceptional parent trust metrics (98% teacher trust, 96% principal trust)
- Near-zero suspension rate with strong relationship-focused culture
- Robust arts and STEM programming (100/100 program richness score)
- Teacher-principal trust (80%) is lower than parent trust — some faculty tension may exist
- Neighborhood safety scores are low (22/100) — this may be a factor for some families
- PTA fundraising is modest ($130/student) compared to district average ($272)
- The predominantly Asian student body may not reflect all families' desired diversity
- Very high chronic absenteeism numbers in the data appear inconsistent and warrant clarification
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 1
Among District 1 peer schools, P.S. 184m Shuang Wen stands out dramatically — its academic performance far exceeds schools like The East Village Community School (80/100), P.S. 110 Florence Nightingale (68/100), and P.S. 015 Roberto Clemente (64/100). It trails only the highly selective New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math High School (99/100) in the district rankings. For an unscreened public school to achieve these results is notable.
The numbers here are striking: 82.5% ELA proficiency and 91.4% math proficiency — roughly 30 percentage points above the District 1 averages of 51.7% and 47.4% respectively. This isn't a recent spike; the school has shown consistent upward momentum over the past decade, climbing from 63.4% ELA in 2016 to today's 82.5%. Math has been equally strong, reaching 93.3% in 2024 before settling at 91.4%. The overall quality rating of 3.48 out of 4 reflects sustained excellence. By grade, performance is strong across the board — Grade 3 math hits an exceptional 97.2%, and even the lower-performing Grade 6 ELA at 72.2% still beats most district schools.
The survey data paints a picture of a deeply trusted school community. Parents give near-universal marks: 94% satisfaction, 98% trust in teachers, 96% trust in the principal. Teachers report exceptional instructional quality (95%) and feel students have strong relationships (100%). Safety perception is high at 92%. The one area showing some tension is teacher-principal trust (80%), which is solid but lower than the parent metrics — worth noting for families who value teacher voice in school governance. Discipline is essentially nonexistent: just 1 suspension across the last three school years, with a 0% suspension rate.
The student body is 70% Asian (predominantly Chinese, reflecting both the neighborhood and the school's Mandarin immersion program), 12% Hispanic, 8% White, 8% Multi-Racial, and 2% Black. With 62.1% economic need index and 15% IEP students, the school serves a meaningfully diverse economic mix despite the high academic performance. The neighborhood itself is working-class to moderate-income — median household income is $35,443 with a 33.3% poverty rate — making the school's academic outcomes particularly impressive.
Chinatown-Two Bridges is a dense, transit-rich neighborhood with deep immigrant roots. The area scores poorly on safety (22/100) — parents should know this context — but excels on transit (88/100) and family density (78/100). Education orientation is strong at 86/100, reflecting the neighborhood's value on academic achievement. There's a notable paradox: only 7.8% of households have children, yet the area feels family-oriented thanks to multigenerational networks. Parks and community resources exist, though the neighborhood is more known for its commercial vitality than child-specific amenities.
Highly walkable and transit-accessible — the area is served by multiple subway lines (B, D, F, M, J, Z, 6) and bus routes. Many families walk to school, particularly given the neighborhood's compact scale. The Cherry Street location is near the East River waterfront.
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) · 581 families responded (76% rate)
Programs & Activities
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. 184m Shuang Wen a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 184m Shuang Wen earns an overall quality score of 87/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 1 average.
- What grades does P.S. 184m Shuang Wen serve?
- P.S. 184m Shuang Wen serves grades Pre-K to 8.
- How do students get into P.S. 184m Shuang Wen?
- P.S. 184m Shuang Wen is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is P.S. 184m Shuang Wen public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 184m Shuang Wen is a public school in NYC Community School District 1.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 184m Shuang Wen in?
- P.S. 184m Shuang Wen is in Chinatown-Two Bridges, Manhattan.
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