CENTRAL PARK EAST II vs PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE

PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune and Central Park East II are two of the highest-ranked elementary schools in New York, separated by just 2.0 miles and a razor-thin overall rating gap: PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune scores 9.4/10 against Central Park East II's 9.3/10. That single-decimal difference masks a more meaningful distinction in state rank — PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune sits at #5 of 4,739 schools in New York, while Central Park East II ranks #12 of 4,739. Both placements are exceptional, but PS 92's edge at the very top of the state is concrete.

Academically, PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune holds a slight lead with an 8.8/10 academic score compared to Central Park East II's 8.6/10 — a 0.2-point delta that reflects modestly stronger tested proficiency. Growth, however, is a dead heat: both schools earn a perfect 10.0/10, meaning students at each school advance at an outstanding rate regardless of where they start. For families who prioritize year-over-year learning gains as a signal of teaching quality, neither school has an advantage here.

The demographic profiles diverge more sharply. Central Park East II enrolls 422 students against PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune's 170, making CPE II nearly 2.5 times larger. That size difference also appears in staffing: Central Park East II's student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1 is notably lower than PS 92's 11.3:1, offering more adult attention per child. Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility tells a clear equity story — 98% of PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune students qualify versus 73% at Central Park East II, reflecting PS 92's role serving one of Harlem's highest-need communities while still achieving near-top-of-state outcomes.

On grade span, Central Park East II covers PK through 8th grade, giving enrolled families a single school from pre-K through middle school. PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune runs PK–5 only, meaning families will need to plan a middle school transition at 6th grade.