At a Glance
A K-12 arts-focused school with exceptional family trust and zero suspensions, set in a stable, affluent Staten Island neighborhood
Families whose children have individualized education plans and would benefit from a K-12 arts-focused environment with strong community ties. Parents who prioritize safety, trust, and relationship-building over test score transparency. Families who are comfortable with — or specifically seeking — a special education-focused school. Those willing to drive, given the limited transit options.
- 100% teacher-reported safety — the highest possible score
- Zero suspensions despite an 81.6% economic need index
- 97% parent-principal trust and 97% parent-teacher trust
- 100% of families report strong relationships with the school
- K-12 arts-focused programming under one roof
- Full IEP program serving all students
- 100% of students have IEPs — this is a specialized school focused on special education, which may or may not align with your child's needs
- No state test score data available, making academic performance difficult to assess
- Teacher instruction quality (83%) scores below the district average of 93% — families should investigate curriculum directly
- Limited transit access means driving is required for most families
- PTA fundraising per student ($258) is below district average ($141 per student) — less funding for enrichment programs
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 31
Among peer schools in District 31, this school does not appear in the comparable elementary school rankings (which range from 85-99/100). The absence of test score data makes direct peer comparison difficult. However, the school's culture metrics — particularly safety and trust — exceed district averages, even as instruction quality scores below. The school occupies a unique position as a K-12 arts school with a 100% IEP population.
State test score data is not available for this school, which limits direct academic comparison. However, teacher-reported instruction quality scores 83% — notably below the district average of 93% — suggesting that families should directly visit or request curriculum information to understand the academic program.
The school's culture is defined by extraordinary trust and safety perceptions. Parents report 93% satisfaction and near-universal trust in both teachers (97%) and the principal (97%). Teachers give perfect marks for school safety (100%) and report strong collegial trust (91%). The school has zero suspensions, well below the district average of 0.44%. With 100% of families reporting strong relationships with the school, the day-to-day feel appears to be that of a close-knit, trusting community.
The school enrolls 491 students across K-12, with a demographics profile notably different from the neighborhood: 50% White, 25% Hispanic, 12% Black, 11% Asian, and 3% multi-racial. The diversity index is 73%, reflecting a moderately diverse student body. However, the 100% IEP designation means every student has an individualized education plan — this appears to be a school with a specialized special education focus. The economic need index of 81.6% is high, suggesting significant student populations facing economic challenges despite the neighborhood's affluence. PTA fundraising reached $126,737 ($258 per student), slightly below the district average of $141 per student.
Great Kills-Eltingville is one of Staten Island's most stable and family-oriented neighborhoods. With a median household income of $119,746, an 80.5% homeownership rate, and only 6.7% poverty, it offers strong economic stability. The neighborhood scores very high on safety (81.61 percentile), family density (62.45), and education orientation (72.03). However, transit access is limited (26.05), meaning most families will drive. The area has excellent health environment scores (93.87) and very high stability (93.1), making it ideal for families seeking a settled community.
This neighborhood has limited public transit options (transit score: 26.05), so most families travel by car. The area is car-dependent, and parents should expect driving to be the primary mode of transportation to school.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 157 families responded (28% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is The David Marquis School of the Arts a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for The David Marquis School of the Arts yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades Pre-K to 12 in Great Kills-Eltingville.
- What grades does The David Marquis School of the Arts serve?
- The David Marquis School of the Arts serves grades Pre-K to 12.
- Is The David Marquis School of the Arts public, charter, or private?
- The David Marquis School of the Arts is a public school in NYC Community School District 31.
- What neighborhood is The David Marquis School of the Arts in?
- The David Marquis School of the Arts is in Great Kills-Eltingville, Staten Island.
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