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P.S. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School

Grades: 3-K, Pre-K, K-5
628 Tinton Avenue
Bronx NY 10455
Phone: 718-292-5478

Our Insights

What’s Special

Dual language; arts-related field trips

The Downside

Many students miss at least a month of school

PS 161 serves 3-K to 5th grade students and offers a dual language program in which children learn in Spanish for part of the day and English for part of the day. Children visit many museums and other cultural venues. 

PS 161 has boosted its arts programming in recent years based on research that shows the arts can support English as a New Language (ENL) students, according to the Comprehensive Educational Plan Students go on many arts-related field trips a year, including to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Shubert Theatre and Lincoln Center.

In school, the youngest study music and art; 3rd graders study music and dance; and 4th and 5th graders study music, dance, theater and art.

Although it still has a ways to go, PS 161 has shown improvement on state test scores in recent years, particularly in math. The city’s Quality Review, which is based on visits to the school, says that teachers need to continue to encourage children to speak up in class and to deliver more of their lessons to small groups of students. 

PS 161 has launched a half-hour period every morning called “frozen time,” an extra practice session in reading for children who struggle the most, and enrichment for those who are on grade level or above. First-graders who are the farthest below grade level meet with trained reading teachers one-on-one to improve their skills. There are also after school programs to help students catch-up. 

A few downsides: some teachers do not feel committed to the school and would not recommend it to new families, according to NYC School Surveys. Attendance is a work-in-progress; roughly half the students miss at least a month of school. 

ADMISSIONS: Unzoned school. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, May 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 2022-2023 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
100%
82% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
100%
84% 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 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
88%
85% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
0.2

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?
31%
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
319
Asian
2%
Black
20%
Hispanic
76%
White
1%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
100%
Students with disabilities
28%
English language learners
14%
Pre-K seats
33
3-K seats
17

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
88%
91% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
46%
36% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

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?
3%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
13%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
14%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
9%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Longwood (District 7)
Trains: 6 Line to East 149th St; 2 Line, 5 Line to Jackson Ave
Buses: Bx17, Bx19, Bx4, Bx46

Contact

Principal
Alana Bibergal
Parent Coordinator
Denise Jourdan

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.
Metal detectors?
No

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