Motley
District 22
PublicDistrict 2Zoned

Yorkville Community School

421 East 88 Street

At a Glance

A zoned neighborhood school with exceptional family engagement and strong academics that have climbed steadily over the past decade

Best suited for

Families who value a tight-knit, highly engaged community with involved parents and strong parent-teacher partnerships will thrive here. It's well-suited for families who prioritize relationship-centered education and have the flexibility to manage attendance logistics given the high chronic absenteeism rates. Those seeking the rigor of a specialized or charter school may want to explore options, but for families wanting a strong neighborhood zoned school with excellent community ties, this fits the bill.

What stands out
  • Exceptional family engagement — 96% parent satisfaction and nearly universal trust scores across parent-teacher and parent-principal relationships
  • Zero suspensions for three consecutive years with strong relationship-focused discipline approach
  • Teachers report 100% safety and 96% instruction quality, well above district averages
  • PTA fundraising of $1,013 per student — nearly double the district average — indicating robust community resources
  • Math scores have climbed over 13 percentage points since 2016 and now exceed the district average
  • Strong 5th grade performance (79.1% math, 76.7% ELA) suggesting solid upper-grade academics
Things to consider
  • Chronic absenteeism at 78% is significantly above typical rates, with stark racial disparities (49% of Black students vs 96% of Asian students chronically absent)
  • ELA proficiency (72.1%) sits slightly below the district average of 73.2%
  • Zoned admissions means placement depends on your address — no lottery option
  • The neighborhood's low safety score (26.82) and high crime density may be a consideration for some families
  • At 380 students, this is a smaller school — class sizes are average but the overall community is tight-knit

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 2

Among District 2 elementary schools, Yorkville Community School holds its own against some highly competitive peers including P.S. 290 Manhattan New School, P.S. 183, and the top-performing P.S. 77 Lower Lab. While it doesn't match the near-100% proficiency of specialized schools like Success Academy charters in the area, it performs comparably or better than many traditional zoned schools and exceeds the district average in math. The overall quality score of 2.95/4 slightly outpaces the district average of 2.91.

AcademicsImproving

Test scores here have followed an upward trajectory over the past decade, with math proficiency jumping from 62.6% in 2016 to 75.6% in 2025 and ELA climbing from 63% to 72.1% over the same period. The school now outperforms the district average in math (75.6% vs 72.5%) while sitting just below the district average in ELA (72.1% vs 73.2%). Grade-level breakdown shows particular strength in 5th grade math (79.1%) and 5th grade ELA (76.7%), suggesting strong academic growth as students move through the upper grades.

Culturestrong

The survey data paints a picture of an exceptionally warm, trusting school community. Parent satisfaction at 96% exceeds the district average of 92%, and nearly every trust metric hovers around 96-98%. Teachers give their own instruction quality a 96% rating and report 100% safety — both well above district averages. There's been zero suspensions for three consecutive years, indicating a restorative or preventive approach to discipline rather than exclusionary practices. However, chronic absenteeism at 78% is a significant concern, particularly given the stark disparities: while 96% of Asian families and 90% of white families maintain regular attendance, only 49% of Black families and 59% of Hispanic families do the same.

Community

The student body is predominantly white (47%), with Hispanic students comprising 24%, Black students 13%, Asian students 10%, and multiracial students 6%. This diversity index of 76% reflects a moderately diverse population. The economic need index of 37.1% suggests a generally more affluent families, though 20% of students have IEPs. The PTA fundraising of $1,013 per student — nearly double the district average — indicates robust parent involvement and resources.

NeighborhoodUpper East Side-Yorkville

The Upper East Side-Yorkville area is characterized by its high education orientation (90.8 percentile), excellent transit access (89.27), and substantial median household income ($136,925). It's a neighborhood that prioritizes family resources, though the low family density (12.7% of households) and low safety score (26.82) are worth noting. The area offers strong infrastructure for families with children, though the crime density and collision rates suggest urban safety considerations.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with excellent transit options, making it accessible for families who prefer not to drive. The 4/5/6 subway lines run along Lexington Avenue, and the Q train is nearby on Second Avenue.

Academic Performance

ELA Proficiency

72.1%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Math Proficiency

75.6%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
96%
Teacher Trust
98%
Principal Trust
97%
Relationships
100%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
96%
Principal Trust
93%
Collegial Trust
96%
Safety
100%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 167 families responded (54% rate)

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Diverse
24%Hispanic/Latino
13%Black
47%White
10%Asian
6%Multi-Racial

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

PTA Fundraising

2024-25
$384,821total raised
$1,013per student

Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
37.1%
IEP Students
20%

Discipline

0suspensions (0% of students)
3-Year Trend— Stable
21
22
23

NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)

Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yorkville Community School a good school?
On Motley, Yorkville Community School earns an overall quality score of 74/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 2 average.
What grades does Yorkville Community School serve?
Yorkville Community School serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into Yorkville Community School?
Yorkville Community School admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
Is Yorkville Community School public, charter, or private?
Yorkville Community School is a public school in NYC Community School District 2.
What neighborhood is Yorkville Community School in?
Yorkville Community School is in Upper East Side-Yorkville, Manhattan.
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