Get more from InsideSchools

A Message from InsideSchools: The data below is the most up-to-date data available from City and State systems. We are working hard to update the narratives for all schools. We welcome your insights in the Comments section. Questions? Ask us!

PS 241 STEM Institute of Manhattan

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
240 West 113th Street
Manhattan NY 10026
Phone: 212-678-2898

Our Insights

What’s Special

Kids learn computer programming and basic engineering

The Downside

Problems persist, despite improvements in school tone

A long-troubled school, PS 241 has made modest progress under the leadership of Marcia Hendricks, who became principal in 2014. Discipline has improved, teachers are happier, and enrollment is increasing. On our visit, the atmosphere was warm and the children seemed content.

Known as the STEM Institute of Manhattan, the school has an engineering teacher who helps children design model windmills, build bridges with LEGOs, or build "houses" of styrofoam and toothpicks for the "Three Little Pigs" to see which material is stronger. Each child gets a laptop computer, and there is a nice Mac lab. Children learn computer coding, including languages such as HTML. Children spend five periods a week studying engineering and computer technology.

Still, the school is battered by huge challenges. Though the enrollment is higher than it was when Hendricks arrived, it has declined by more than two-thirds since 2006, when competition from charters in the neighborhood began to lure children from traditional public schools. The Department of Education has periodically threatened to close the school for low enrollment and poor academic performance. More than 80 percent of the children zoned for PS 241 attend other schools. PS 241 had one class on each grade and just 18 children in kindergarten at the time of our visit. One-fifth of the children are homeless, and one-quarter are chronically absent, missing more than one month of school, according to Department of Education statistics.

PS 241 shares a cheery, well-maintained 1938 building with Harlem Success Academy 4, a charter school known for its sky-high test scores, strict disciplinary practices, and aggressive marketing campaign; and Opportunity Charter School, which serves children in grades 6-12, including many with special needs. PS 241 takes up just half of a corridor on the building's second floor. Like her colleagues at many district schools, Hendricks says she receives transfers from Harlem Success Academy, including some who cannot conform to the charter's strict expectations for discipline.

Hendricks, who began her career as a para-professional and teacher in District 5 in Harlem, worked as a principal intern at PS 21 in Queens before coming to PS 241. District 3 Superintendent Ilene Altschul said in her 2015 Quality Review that there has been "an improvement in culture" at the school and "teachers feel respected and valued." Every teacher responding to the school survey in 2016 said the principal is an effective leader. In 2014, only 29 percent of teachers answering the school survey said the school was orderly and disciplined; by 2016, that number was up to 56 percenta marked improvement, though still well below the citywide average.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: More than one-third of PS 241 pupils receive special education services. The school has two self-contained classes for children with special needs and several team-taught classes that mix special needs and general education pupils with two teachers.

ADMISSIONS: Neighborhood school. The school has frequent tours and welcomes children from outside the attendance zone. Children who enroll get a free book bag, a hoodie with the school logo, two long sleeved shirts and two short sleeved t-shirts. (Clara Hemphill, March 2017)

Read more

School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
73%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
83%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
8.0

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
32%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
25%
50% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
103
Asian
1%
Black
62%
Hispanic
29%
White
6%
Other
2%
Free or reduced priced lunch
91%
Students with disabilities
31%
English language learners
21%
Pre-K seats
11
3-K seats
15

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
89%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
45%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
11%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
12% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Harlem (District 3)
Trains: B Line, C Line to Cathedral Parkway-110th St; 2 Line, 3 Line to Central Park North-110th St
Buses: M1, M10, M11, M116, M2, M3, M4, M7

Contact

Principal
Marcia Hendricks
Parent Coordinator
Michelle Perez

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares the building with Success Academy Harlem 4 Charter School and the Opportunity Charter School
Metal detectors?
No

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

Was this information helpful?

Get more from InsideSchools

You may also like …

Harlem Link Charter School

21 West 111th Street
Manhattan, NY 10026

Success Academy Harlem 1 Charter School

34 West 118th Street, 2nd Floor
Manhattan, NY 10026

Comments

  • Is this your school? Please post any news, updates, events, changes, or other information!
  • We welcome questions, open discussions, and disagreements but comments with personal attacks, rude language, or those with seemingly malicious intent will be deleted.
  • Very long comments, those that contain links, or repeat comments may be blocked by our spam filter.
  • Problems? email us at contact@insideschools.org.
  • Users must comply with our Terms of Use.

×