The Stephanie A. Vierno School

Test scores show a school performing slightly above the district average in both subjects — ELA at 61.9% versus the district's 61.3%, and math at 64.2% versus 61.0%. The scores by grade reveal consistent performance across grades 3-5, with math stronger in third grade (68.2%) and ELA peaking in fourth grade (63.6%). The historical trend is volatile: scores dipped significantly during the pandemic (2022 saw just 44.8% ELA) but have recovered strongly, with 2025 showing the highest scores on record. This suggests the school has clawed back ground lost during remote learning, though the one-year jump from 45.2% to 61.9% in ELA warrants watching to confirm this isn't a data anomaly.

The survey data tells a compelling story: this is a school where families feel heard and teachers feel supported. Parent satisfaction sits at 93%, with parent-principal trust reaching an exceptional 97%. Teachers report 100% safety — a rare perfect score — and rate instruction quality at 95%. The trust metrics extend to staff: teacher-principal trust at 87% and teacher collegial trust at 89%. Discipline is minimal, with just one suspension over the past three years. The catch: chronic absenteeism at 81.3% is extraordinarily high, meaning nearly half of students miss significant school time despite an overall attendance rate of 93.5% that beats the district average. This suggests a disconnect between the school's positive climate and some families' ability to get kids to school regularly.

With 639 students, the school reflects a predominantly white (41%) and Asian (27%) population, with Hispanic students comprising 25%. The diversity index of 73% indicates a reasonably mixed student body. Economic need is notable at 61.5%, meaning a majority of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 21% have IEPs — slightly above typical. The neighborhood itself is stable and affluent by Staten Island standards, with 75% homeownership, a median household income of $91,669, and only 9.5% poverty. This creates an interesting dynamic: the school serves a more economically diverse population than its immediate neighborhood might suggest, drawing students from families with higher need who may not live in the homeowner-dominant surrounding area.

New Dorp-Midland Beach is a stable, residential Staten Island neighborhood characterized by single-family homes, high homeownership (75%), and family-oriented streets. The area scores very high on safety (70.88 percentile) and stability (88.51 percentile), with excellent air quality (PM2.5 at 8.4, well below urban averages). Transit options are more limited than in Manhattan or North Brooklyn (50.57 percentile), reflecting Staten Island's car-dependent nature. Family density is moderate (31.03 percentile), meaning this isn't a neighborhood teeming with young children on every block. The median home value of $652,000 reflects the area's desirability for families.

Like most of Staten Island, this area is largely car-dependent. Families walking to school typically come from the immediate zoned area; those outside the zone would need to drive. The neighborhood's wide streets and relatively low traffic make it pedestrian-friendly for those who do walk, but there's no subway access and limited bus routes compared to other boroughs.