P.S. 304 Early Childhood School

P.S. 304 delivers strong academic results that place it well above District 8 averages — the 72.3% math proficiency is particularly notable, especially in Grade 4 where students hit 77.8%. The school shows a classic COVID-era dip (2022 saw ELA drop to 52.1%) followed by a strong recovery to pre-pandemic levels and beyond in 2025. Grade 4 consistently outperforms other grades, suggesting strong upper-elementary instruction. The 2.84 overall score on the 4-point scale significantly outpaces the district average of 1.88, making this one of the higher-performing elementary schools in the area.

The survey data tells a remarkable story: 100% of families report strong relationships, 100% of teachers feel safe, and trust metrics between parents and staff all hover above 97%. This isn't just good — it's exceptional, particularly compared to the district averages. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years, indicating either effective behavioral support or a particularly cohesive student body. The attendance picture is more nuanced: while the 90.7% daily attendance rate slightly exceeds the district average, the 61.9% chronic absenteeism rate suggests a meaningful portion of students miss significant school time. This disconnect — high daily attendance but elevated chronic absenteeism — is worth understanding during the enrollment process.

The school enrollment of 514 students reflects a community that is 73% Hispanic, with roughly equal shares of Black (10%) and White (10%) students, plus a small Asian population (6%). This aligns with the neighborhood's character as a working-to-middle-class area with significant Hispanic heritage. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, slightly above typical, and the economic need index of 54 indicates a moderate-to-high need population. Despite these challenges, the school has cultivated remarkable community cohesion — the 100% family survey response rate and nearly $27,000 in PTA fundraising ($51 per student, well above the district average of $17) signals active parent participation.

Throgs Neck-Schuylerville is a stable, residential Bronx neighborhood with a 90.42 stability score — one of the highest in the area — and a homeownership rate of 48.4%. The median household income of $85,113 and relatively low 14.9% poverty rate suggest a working-middle-class community. Families with children make up about half the neighborhood, which scores well on family density (50.96 percentile). Safety scores (61.69) are moderate, while transit access (43.68) indicates this is primarily a car-dependent or walkable neighborhood rather than a transit hub. Education orientation scores 53.26, reflecting an average focus on educational resources.

This is a walkable, residential neighborhood where most families arrive on foot or by car rather than via public transit.