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P.S. 195

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
1250 Ward Avenue
Bronx NY 10472
Phone: 718-861-4461

Our Insights

What’s Special

Band, chorus, dance and theater

The Downside

More work needed to support kids learning English

Located in the South Bronx, PS 195 serves 3-year-olds (in 3-K) through 5th grade students. It offers a healthy selection of arts including theater, music (band and choir) and dance. Housed in a large, red brick building that was once a single, massive elementary school of well over 1,000 students, the facility is now home to two separate programs: PS 195 and PS 196. Both serve almost identical populations.  

Roughly one third of the students are English Language Learners and many enter the school performing below grade level, and need to catch up on basic reading, writing and math skills. 

Both PS 195 and PS 196 offer Spanish transitional bilingual education. In this approach, children studyreading, writing, math and other classes in English and Spanish until their English improves, at which point instruction is mostly in English.

Although students perform below grade level on state tests in reading and math, there has been a steady, gradual improvement since Principal Unal Karakas took the helm in 2017. He increased the arts, adding Dancing Classrooms, which has helped improve attendance, according to the Quality Review. He added a guidance counselor to the staff, in addition to two psychologists and two social workers already on staff.

Instruction is changing under his leadership. Most teachers have shifted to more student discussion in class, and less teacher talk and lecture. Across classes, students work with partners, independently or in small groups, according to the Quality Review. 

However, two sub-groups remain far below the citywide average on reading and math tests: English Language Learners and special education students. These groups receive extra support after school, according to the Quality Review. 

The school’s Twitter feed shows lots of activity and field trips including breakfast with the principal, a staff retreat, and a trip to treat parents to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, as well as a student field trip to the Bronx Zoo. 

Both schools share the gym, auditorium and cafeteria. Each one has its own separate lunch period, with half the students eating while the other half has recess. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school has "self-contained" classes only for children needing special services and team-taught "inclusion" classes where two teachers work in the same classroom with both general education students and those needing special services.

ADMISSIONS: Neighborhood school. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, March 2020).

 

 

 

 

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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?
72%
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?
64%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
3.1

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?
20%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
20%
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
735
Asian
2%
Black
13%
Hispanic
82%
White
1%
Other
2%
Free or reduced priced lunch
87%
Students with disabilities
17%
English language learners
35%
Pre-K seats
36
3-K seats
14

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
90%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
38%
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?
10%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
10%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
8%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
2%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Parkchester (District 12)
Trains: 6 Line to Morrison-Sound View Ave
Buses: Bx11, Bx27, Bx36, Bx4, Bx4A, Q44

Contact

Principal
Richard Webster
Parent Coordinator
Veronica Vega

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares a building with PS 196
Metal detectors?
No

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

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