P.S./I.S. 173 Fort Washington School in the Heights

Test scores place this school in the bottom tier of District 6. ELA proficiency at 31.6% and math at 42.1% both fall roughly 15-20 percentage points below the district average, and the overall quality score of 1.47 out of 4 is notably lower than the district's 1.98. Looking at the historical trend, scores climbed steadily from 2016 to 2019 — ELA jumped from 28.9% to 41.1% — but have since fluctuated, with 2025 showing a dip in ELA (31.6%) even as math improved (42.1%). There's significant variation by grade: Grade 8 math reaches 68% proficiency while Grade 7 ELA sits at just 14.9%, suggesting inconsistent outcomes across grade levels and subjects.

The survey data tells a more hopeful story than test scores alone. Parents rate satisfaction at 94%, and trust in teachers (98%) and the principal (97%) is exceptional — these numbers are well above district averages. Teachers report strong collegial trust (88%) and 100% of families surveyed report strong relationships with the school. However, teacher instruction quality ratings (76%) and teacher-reported safety (85%) both fall below district averages, which may reflect the challenges of serving a high-need population. Attendance is a real concern: the 89.6% rate is slightly below district average, and chronic absenteeism at 63.7% is extraordinarily high — though notably lower for Black students (48.1%) than for the overall population. On a positive note, the school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years.

This is a predominantly Hispanic school in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood — 91% of students identify as Hispanic, reflecting the surrounding Washington Heights community. With only 3% Asian, 2% Black, and 2% White students, the diversity index is very low at 24%. The economic need is high (75.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch), and 17% have IEPs. The class size of 21.9 is roughly average for the district. PTA fundraising is modest at $34 per student (compared to the district average of $52), indicating fewer extra resources for enrichment programs.

Washington Heights is a densely populated, transit-heavy neighborhood in upper Manhattan with excellent subway access (96.55 transit score). It's a family-heavy area — 85% of households have children — but only 8% own homes, meaning most families rent. The median home value is $750,201, yet 22% of residents live in poverty. Education orientation scores moderate (52.49), suggesting moderate college-bound culture among residents. The neighborhood scores very low on safety (3.83) and has environmental health concerns including elevated lead rates and asthma emergency department rates well above average. Family-friendly amenities include good transit and parks, though the safety indicators warrant awareness.

The school is accessible by multiple subway lines serving the Washington Heights area. Families in the zone walk or take buses; the high transit score means car-free commuting is feasible for most.