P.S. 195

Test scores at P.S. 195 show a volatile pattern: climbing from single digits in 2016-2017 to the low 20s by 2019, dipping during pandemic remote learning, then climbing again to 29.1% ELA and 34.9% math in 2025. Both scores remain below the District 12 averages of 44.6% ELA and 43.3% math — math has narrowed the gap considerably while ELA continues to trail. The 2025 scores represent the school's highest proficiency marks in recent years, suggesting recent academic interventions may be gaining traction, though the school still sits below half of district peers.

This is where P.S. 195 stands out. Parent satisfaction hits 92%, with nearly all families reporting strong trust in teachers (96%) and the principal (98%). Teachers echo that sentiment — 90% trust the principal and 87% trust their colleagues. Teacher-reported safety sits at 80%, slightly below the district average of 84.6%. The school has recorded zero suspensions for three straight years, a rare achievement in any district. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 71.3%, significantly higher than the district average, suggesting attendance interventions may be needed.

P.S. 195 serves a predominantly Hispanic student body (80%), with Black students making up 14% and small Asian and Native American populations. The school reflects the neighborhood's high economic need — 91.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, one of the highest need indexes in the district. At 800 students, it's a mid-sized elementary school with 18% IEP students, close to the district average. PTA fundraising is notably low at $18 per student compared to the district average of $53, suggesting fewer family resources for extracurricular enrichment.

The Soundview-Bruckner-Bronx River area is a high-poverty, family-dense Bronx neighborhood. Median household income sits around $41,000 with a 31.6% poverty rate, and only 15.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree. Homeownership is extremely low at 13.4%, meaning most families rent. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (15th percentile) and education orientation (28th percentile), though family density ranks high (71st percentile). Families should know the area has limited private school options and is heavily transit-dependent — the transit score of 49 reflects moderate subway access but overall car dependency.

The neighborhood is largely car-dependent with limited subway access; most families likely walk or rely on bus service