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P.S. 128 Audubon

Grades: 3-K, Pre-K, K-5
560 West 169 Street
Manhattan NY 10032
Phone: 212-927-0607

Our Insights

What’s Special

English-Spanish dual language program; dance programs

The Downside

Large class size in the upper grades

PS 128 Audubon, located across from New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights, is a neighborhood school with an English-Spanish dual language program. The school has received awards for its ballroom dance and school wellness programs. It has a media center for research, writing, and lessons that require technology, plus robotics, track, basketball and art clubs.

School culture and environment: The tone is respectful, friendly and orderly. Children walk in loose lines along the hallway, chatting calmly with each other. They call teachers by their last names and wear uniforms but it’s not strictly enforced. School surveys show teachers are happy with the principal, and trust within the school community is high. Classrooms feel bright and busy, with walls covered in posters, sometimes in two languages, and lots of pictures. Tables are in groups of four, or side-by-side in rows. Some kids work on rugs; most sit at desks, or join lessons with the teacher on a rug or at a table. Teachers use a social-emotional program from Columbia University, in which kids discuss and role play problems in small groups.

Teaching and curriculum: PS 128 has a longstanding reputation for a traditional approach to instruction, but teachers have shifted their lessons to emphasize group work and class discussions. The school wants to raise expectations and challenge students more, according to their yearly plan. In one classroom, we observed 5th-graders sitting at desks in rows solving math problems in a textbook. In another, students worked in small groups; one group of four gathered around a computer to research deforestation. In a 1st grade classroom, children worked together matching letter sounds with pictures, while another group worked on phonics skills on laptops. Routinely, teachers lead the whole class in movement breaks. If you visit, ask for examples of how children get extra academic support if they need it.

Class size: Class size typically runs from 15 in the lower grades (K-2) to 30 or more in the upper grades (4-5). Two or more adults help out in grades K-3 but 4th and 5th grade classes typically have one teacher.  

Indoor and Outdoor Space: Kids play in the gymnasium, in a yard with climbing equipment, or at Audubon Park across the street. There is classroom space for art, dance, a media center, and special education services. Parent workshops take place in a spacious hallway area. PS 128 shares the building with Castle Bridge, a tiny, project-based elementary school. The two schools do an annual STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) fair together. The building was constructed in 1959 and expanded in 1990. Renovations improved the windows and air conditioning.

Parent and Family Engagement: Parents are welcome to volunteer and attend workshops on topics such as  literacy, health and safety, parenting, and leadership.

Special education: Self-contained classrooms mix up to 12 children with two adults. These small classes span two grade levels (K-1, 2-3, 4-5), and are led by a co-teaching team that teaches all subjects. The gym teacher adapts activities to fit students’ needs. A goal on the CEP (Comprehensive Education Plan) is to move more students into less restrictive settings.

After school: Several after-school options can be found on the school's website.  (Lydie Raschka & Natasha Quiroga, May 2023)

 

 

 

 

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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?
88%
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?
88%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
4.8

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?
42%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
40%
50% Citywide Average

What is the Pre-K like?

From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020

Instruction: Teachers ask kids to explain their reasoning when they solve problems
Activities: Children explore art, music, sand/water, dramatic play and more
Language: Teachers talk and listen to kids in a supportive way
Interaction: Teachers ask kids good questions and invite back-and-forth conversation

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
480
Asian
0%
Black
5%
Hispanic
90%
White
4%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
92%
Students with disabilities
22%
English language learners
20%
Pre-K seats
72
3-K seats
24

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
87%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
52%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

This school offers Transitional Bilingual Education in Spanish.
This school offers Dual Language classes in Spanish.

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?
16%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
9%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
22%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
3%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Washington Heights (District 6)
Trains: 1 Line, A Line, C Line to 168th St - Washington Hts
Buses: Bx13, Bx7, M100, M101, M2, M3, M4, M5, M98

Contact

Principal
Cary Pantaleon
Parent Coordinator
Kenia Amparo

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares the building with PS 513 Castle Bridge
Metal detectors?
No

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

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