Port Richmond School for Visionary Learning

The school earns a 1.41 overall rating from the city — below the district average of 2.45 — and proficiency rates in both ELA (43.4%) and math (27%) fall well below the district's 61% averages. But the trajectory matters: between 2022 and 2024, the school nearly doubled its ELA proficiency (26% to 45%) and more than doubled math (15% to 34%). The 2025 results slipped slightly, suggesting the gains may be stabilizing rather than continuing to climb. Grade-level data reveals a puzzling pattern: 4th graders perform notably stronger (53% ELA, 51% math) while 5th graders struggle in math (12%). This inconsistency across grades suggests uneven instruction or support as students advance. The school is catching up, but not yet leading.

Here's where the data tells a nuanced story. Parents love this school — 93% satisfied, 96% trust teachers, 94% trust the principal, and every single parent surveyed reported strong relationships. Teachers similarly rate instruction quality extremely high (98%), and the school reports zero suspensions across three consecutive years — a rare data point. However, teachers themselves show lower trust in leadership (69% teacher-principal trust, 75% collegial trust) compared to families, and only 89% feel safe at school, below the 95% district average. This suggests a disconnect: families experience warmth and connection, while staff may feel differently about working conditions or leadership. The school has achieved a warm, relationship-driven culture for families, but may need to address internal staff dynamics.

With 411 students and a diverse enrollment — 51% Hispanic, 21% Black, 14% white, 9% Asian, and 5% multiracial — the school reflects the working-class, immigrant-adjacent character of Port Richmond. The diversity index of 75% is notably high. A quarter of students have IEPs, and the economic need index of 68.2% indicates significant poverty. The neighborhood itself is majority-owner-occupied (49%) with a median home value around $486K and a 22% poverty rate. This is a community where families are rooted — not transient — and the school draws from that population.

Port Richmond is a stable, transit-accessible Staten Island neighborhood with an older housing stock and a mix of homeownership and rental. The area scores well on stability (82nd percentile) and transit (80th percentile), but only moderately on family density (44th percentile) and safety (56th percentile). Crime density and asthma rates are elevated, which are common in denser urban neighborhoods. Families report moderate access to parks and outdoor space. The neighborhood is more working-class than most of Staten Island, with 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees — below the citywide average.

Like most of Staten Island, this area is car-dependent. Families without vehicles rely on the bus or express train service, which scores well for transit (80th percentile), but walking to school is common for those living within the zone. The school draws from a defined geographic area, so walkability varies significantly by where families live within the zone.