Needs Improvement

#4660 of 4,742 schools in NY

James Weldon Johnson School

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

176 E 115TH ST, New York, NY 10029

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

579

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Enrollment

579

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#4,660 of 4,742

In New York

#341 of 346

public schools

In district

#26 of 28

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

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About James Weldon Johnson School

James Weldon Johnson School is a public elementary school in New York, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4. James Weldon Johnson School serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James Weldon Johnson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #4,660 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for James Weldon Johnson School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts below district

2.8

This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
District avg 4.8
NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

69% of students at James Weldon Johnson School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data14

Annual Change-3.33 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics4.2Below Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency16.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency32.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Math vs. State Avg-37.4 pts

Reading vs. State Avg-28.6 pts

Overall Proficiency24% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-12.9 pts

Adjusted Percentile22th

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1

Chronic Absenteeism69.1%

James Weldon Johnson School — Students at James Weldon Johnson School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

40.8% (2021 NYSED)

ELA Proficiency 38.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

57.1% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 40 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009

Math

92%

ELA

73%

2010

Math

69%

ELA

55%

2011

Math

75%

ELA

53%

2012

Math

28%

ELA

27%

2013

Math

32%

ELA

25%

2014

Math

32%

ELA

24%

2015

Math

27%

ELA

32%

2016

Math

26%

ELA

32%

2017

Math

19%

ELA

31%

2018

Math

23%

ELA

31%

2019

Math

23%

ELA

31%

2020*

Math

27%

ELA

37%

2021*

Math

27%

ELA

39.9%

2022

Math

16.1%

ELA

32.3%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How James Weldon Johnson School Compares

See how James Weldon Johnson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

2.8/10

2th percentile in NY

Academic

4.2/10

Below Average

Growth

2.0/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

2.6/10

Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

93%

Teaching Staff

12:1 student-teacher ratio

48 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

69.1%

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. TAG YOUNG SCHOLARS (rated 8.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PAUL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 7 SAMUEL STERN (rated 5.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.4 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
ST PAUL SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	177	6.7
MOSAIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY New York	0.2 mi	236	3.7
HARBOR SCIENCE AND ARTS CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	238	3.5
PS 7 SAMUEL STERN New York	0.3 mi	400	5.2
PS 102 JACQUES CARTIER New York	0.2 mi	236	4.8
BILINGUAL BICULTURAL SCHOOL (THE) New York	0.3 mi	315	3.2
COOKE SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	288	7.5
PS 83 LUIS MUNOZ RIVERA New York	0.3 mi	339	5.0
TAG YOUNG SCHOLARS New York	0.3 mi	550	8.3
ESPERANZA PREPARATORY ACADEMY New York	0.3 mi	536	4.9
PS 96 JOSEPH LANZETTA New York	0.3 mi	422	4.6
PS 79 HORAN SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	217	3.7
PS 155 WILLIAM PACA New York	0.3 mi	255	4.7
RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York	0.3 mi	145	5.6
AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL EAST HARLEM New York	0.5 mi	312	4.3
PS 108 ASSEMBLYMAN ANGELO DEL TORO EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX New York	0.4 mi	364	2.8
EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.5 mi	897	4.7
HERITAGE SCHOOL (THE) New York	0.5 mi	256	7.6
HARLEM PREP CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	793	5.1
DEMOCRACY PREP ENDURANCE CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	634	5.4

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

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

30.6%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST LINDEN CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY	646	2.8
BEDFORD PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronx, NY	469	2.8
CATARACT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY	534	2.8
FLEETWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chestnut Ridge, NY	662	2.8
GOUVERNEUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gouverneur, NY	513	2.8
HYDE PARK SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY	481	2.8

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 ranks #4,660 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is James Weldon Johnson School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Weldon Johnson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at James Weldon Johnson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Weldon Johnson School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

Explore More Schools

All schools in New York, NY Schools in NY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 District 20 nearby schools Explore New York school quality map

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score: 99 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score: 100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score: 82 Very Bikeable

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23): 69.1%
Phone: (212) 876-5522

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

District Enrollment: 11,690
Schools in District: 29
District Rank: #26 of 28

Other Schools in This District

CENTRAL PARK EAST HIGH SCHOOL 9.5 PARK EAST HIGH SCHOOL 8.5 PS 171 PATRICK HENRY 8.3 TAG YOUNG SCHOLARS 8.3 MANHATTAN CENTER FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS 8.0

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 NY EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

James Weldon Johnson School

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