Average
#3185 of 4,739 schools in NY
MS 131
Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
100 HESTER ST, New York, NY 10002
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
7.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
7.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#260 of 346
public schools
New York middle schools
#437 of 785
In district
#108 of 118
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About MS 131
MS 131 is a middle school located in the heart of New York City, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 291 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, MS 131 offers a relatively small class size that allows for individual attention and support. The school has 40 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its educational mission.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, MS 131 scores a 4.3 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 30th percentile among New York State schools. Academically, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 43% meet proficiency standards in Math. These figures suggest that MS 131 is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth.
MS 131 is situated in a bustling city setting with numerous cultural and educational opportunities nearby. The school’s location offers students a rich environment to explore and learn beyond the classroom, making it an integral part of the vibrant New York community.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, MS 131 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
MS 131 — Students at MS 131 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 9 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How MS 131 Compares
See how MS 131 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
100 HESTER ST, New York, NY 10002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering MS 131 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. URBAN ASSEMBLY ACADEMY OF GOVERNMENT AND LAW (rated 8.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 1 ALFRED E SMITH (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 126 JACOB AUGUST RIIS (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 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 | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PACE HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.0 mi | 6.7 |
| EMMA LAZARUS HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| PS 42 BENJAMIN ALTMAN New York | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| PS 124 YUNG WING New York | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| MESIVTA TIFERETH JERUSALEM New York | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| PS 2 MEYER LONDON New York | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| NEW DESIGN HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR DUAL LANGUAGE AND ASIAN STUDIES New York | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ESSEX STREET ACADEMY New York | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| URBAN ASSEMBLY ACADEMY OF GOVERNMENT AND LAW New York | 0.2 mi | 8.5 |
| LOWER MANHATTAN ARTS ACADEMY New York | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| PS 130 HERNANDO DE SOTO New York | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 1 ALFRED E SMITH New York | 0.3 mi | 8.4 |
| TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL New York | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| CASCADES HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| FORSYTHE SATELLITE ACADEMY New York | 0.4 mi | 4.7 |
| TRANSFIGURATION UPPER AND LOWER CAMPUS New York | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| PS 126 JACOB AUGUST RIIS New York | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| PATHWAYS CHILDRENS SERVICES New York | 0.5 mi | — |
| ORCHARD COLLEGIATE ACADEMY New York | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,525
Median Home Value
$808,500
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Population
75,517
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
18.6%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding MS 131 has a median household income of $46,525. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $808,500, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| BAIS CHINUCH TORAS EMACHU Monsey, NY | 5.6 |
| CHESTNUT HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Liverpool, NY | 5.6 |
| EAST LOWER SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 5.6 |
| IS 339 Bronx, NY | 5.6 |
| MS 890 Brooklyn, NY | 5.6 |
| NESIVOS BAIS YAAKOV Brooklyn, NY | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MS 131
What grades does MS 131 serve?
MS 131 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend MS 131?
MS 131 has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 131?
The student-teacher ratio at MS 131 is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does MS 131 rank in NY?
MS 131 is ranked #3185 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is MS 131's MySchoolScout rating?
MS 131 has a composite rating of 5.6 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 MS 131?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 131 has 43.3% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is MS 131 a charter school?
No, MS 131 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is MS 131 a Title I school?
No, MS 131 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 131?
92.4% of students at MS 131 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
- City Safety
- High (3,049/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 291
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 219-1204
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2- District Enrollment
- 55,421
- Schools in District
- 119
- District Rank
- #108 of 118
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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