Very Good
#1388 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 29% in state
James Weldon Johnson School
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4
176 E 115TH ST, New York, NY 10029
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#137 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#857 of 2,549
In district
#14 of 28
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About James Weldon Johnson School
James Weldon Johnson School is an elementary school located in the heart of New York City, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With a total enrollment of 579 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, the school offers individualized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The academic performance at James Weldon Johnson School currently stands at the 23rd percentile among New York state schools, with room for improvement in both ELA/Reading (39% proficient or above) and Math (26% proficient or above).
While these scores indicate areas where growth is needed, the school continues to focus on student development and community engagement. Located in a bustling city setting, James Weldon Johnson School benefits from the diverse cultural and educational resources available in New York. The school's commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment makes it an integral part of the local community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James Weldon Johnson School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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James Weldon Johnson School — Students at James Weldon Johnson School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 16 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How James Weldon Johnson School Compares
See how James Weldon Johnson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
176 E 115TH ST, New York, NY 10029
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Weldon Johnson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 7 SAMUEL STERN (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 155 WILLIAM PACA (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 96 JOSEPH LANZETTA (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PAUL SCHOOL New York | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| MOSAIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY New York | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| HARBOR SCIENCE AND ARTS CHARTER SCHOOL New York | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| PS 7 SAMUEL STERN New York | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| PS 102 JACQUES CARTIER New York | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| BILINGUAL BICULTURAL SCHOOL (THE) New York | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| COOKE SCHOOL New York | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| PS 83 LUIS MUNOZ RIVERA New York | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| TAG YOUNG SCHOLARS New York | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ESPERANZA PREPARATORY ACADEMY New York | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| PS 96 JOSEPH LANZETTA New York | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| PS 79 HORAN SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| PS 155 WILLIAM PACA New York | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York | 0.3 mi | 8.4 |
| AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL EAST HARLEM New York | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| PS 108 ASSEMBLYMAN ANGELO DEL TORO EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX New York | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| HERITAGE SCHOOL (THE) New York | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| HARLEM PREP CHARTER SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| DEMOCRACY PREP ENDURANCE CHARTER SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10029 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,308
Median Home Value
$818,100
Median Rent
$1,183/mo
Population
74,848
College Educated
35.7%
Homeownership
7%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
30.6%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Weldon Johnson School has a median household income of $38,308. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $818,100, with a median rent of $1,183/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BEEKMANTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Chazy, NY | 7.2 |
| CANISTEO-GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canisteo, NY | 7.2 |
| CATSKILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Catskill, NY | 7.2 |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 7.2 |
| COVERT AVENUE SCHOOL Elmont, NY | 7.2 |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON SCHOOL Kingston, NY | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Weldon Johnson School
What grades does James Weldon Johnson School serve?
James Weldon Johnson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend James Weldon Johnson School?
James Weldon Johnson School has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Weldon Johnson School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Weldon Johnson School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Weldon Johnson School rank in NY?
James Weldon Johnson School is ranked #1388 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is James Weldon Johnson School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Weldon Johnson School has a composite rating of 7.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Weldon Johnson School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Weldon Johnson School has 26.5% math proficiency and 38.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Weldon Johnson School a charter school?
No, James Weldon Johnson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Weldon Johnson School a Title I school?
No, James Weldon Johnson School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Weldon Johnson School?
93.1% of students at James Weldon Johnson School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 99 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 100 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 81 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,049/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 876-5522
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 29
- District Rank
- #14 of 28
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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