P.S. 396

Test scores at P.S. 396 sit slightly above the District 10 averages — 48.4% ELA versus 45.0% district-wide, and 45.2% math versus 43.5% district-wide. The overall quality score of 1.87/4 also edges out the district average of 1.77. But what stands out most is the trajectory: math proficiency has climbed from 18.1% in 2018 to 45.2% this year, and ELA jumped a striking 16.5 percentage points from 2024 to 2025 alone. Grade-level data shows 4th graders outperforming 3rd graders in ELA (61.3% vs 32.3%), suggesting stronger performance in upper elementary. Compared to peer schools in District 10 — where top performers like P.S. 024 score 92/100 — P.S. 396 still has ground to cover, but the direction of travel is clear.

The survey data here tells a remarkable story of trust: 96% of parents report satisfaction, 98% feel trusting of teachers, and 97% trust the principal — numbers that most schools in the city would envy. Teachers report similarly strong collegial trust (87%) and trust in leadership (87%). However, there are tension points. Teacher-reported safety sits at 77%, below the district average of 87%, suggesting some uncertainty about the school environment among staff. Attendance is a significant concern — the 92.8% attendance rate masks a chronic absenteeism rate of 79.8%, meaning most students miss significant school time. Hispanic students miss the most (83.1% chronic absenteeism) compared to Black students (65.8%). On the positive side, discipline is exemplary: zero suspensions for three consecutive years.

At 246 students, P.S. 396 is a small school serving a predominantly Hispanic (75%) and Black (21%) student body. Nearly 90% of students qualify for free lunch, reflecting the neighborhood's high economic need. Thirty-seven percent of students have IEPs — notably higher than many schools — suggesting strong special education services. The diversity index sits at 41%, which is moderate. This is a school where the community it serves is largely the community that walks through its doors, a neighborhood school in the truest sense.

University Heights/Morris Heights is a high-density, high-poverty Bronx neighborhood where most families rent and fewer than 7% own homes. The median household income is just $32,393, and 37% of residents live below the poverty line. It's a neighborhood where families with children are common (94th percentile for family density) but college-educated residents are rare (only 15% have bachelor's degrees). Transit access is strong (70th percentile), making commutes manageable, but safety scores are low (6/100), reflecting concerns about crime and traffic. There are few parks or green spaces, and environmental health indicators — including asthma rates — raise concerns.

Given the neighborhood's high family density and low car ownership, most families walk. The strong transit score means older siblings and working parents can manage commutes without a car, though the low safety score means evening arrivals and departures warrant attention.