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#3729 of 4,739 schools in NY

MS 243 Center School

Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3

100 W 84TH ST, New York, NY 10024

Enrollment

251

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

5.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New York

#295 of 346

public schools

New York middle schools

#564 of 785

In district

#40 of 42

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About MS 243 Center School

MS 243 Center School serves 251 students in grades 5-8 on Manhattan's Upper West Side, offering a strong academic environment with a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio and 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #639 out of 4,758 New York schools, placing it in the 87th percentile statewide. Academically, MS 243 demonstrates solid performance with an 8.9 out of 10 academic score.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 86% achieving proficiency or above across all grades. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 62% of students reaching proficiency levels. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality middle school education during these crucial transitional years.

The school benefits from its location in one of Manhattan's most educated communities. The surrounding 10024 ZIP code has a median household income of $166,994 and an exceptionally high college graduation rate of 83%. With a low poverty rate of 8.3% and median home values of $1,743,700, the neighborhood provides a stable, education-focused environment.

Situated at 100 West 84th Street, MS 243 Center School operates in the heart of the culturally rich Upper West Side, where families value academic achievement and students have access to the educational and cultural resources that define this vibrant Manhattan community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+39.3 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1

MS 243 Center School — Students at MS 243 Center School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 65.2%
School
State
41.1%
ELA Proficiency 87.3%
School
State
54.9%

Based on 11 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
60.5%
ELA
86.6%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How MS 243 Center School Compares

See how MS 243 Center School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in NY
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

100 W 84TH ST, New York, NY 10024

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering MS 243 Center School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MS 245 COMPUTER SCHOOL (THE) (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BAIS YAAKOV BNOS ALIYA (rated 6.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MS 247 DUAL LANGUAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.1/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.4 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 9 SARAH ANDERSON New York 0.0 mi 7.4
INNOVATION DIPLOMA PLUS New York 0.1 mi 6.3
GLOBAL LEARNING COLLABORATIVE (THE) New York 0.1 mi 7.8
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR GREEN CAREERS (THE) New York 0.1 mi 7.0
FRANK MCCOURT HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.1 mi 5.4
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-UPPER WEST New York 0.1 mi 4.7
MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL New York 0.1 mi 4.7
GAN ALIYA New York 0.2 mi 6.4
THE SMITH SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.6
BEIT RABBAN DAY SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.9
PS 166 RICHARD ROGERS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCE (THE) New York 0.3 mi 7.3
THE GENEVA SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN New York 0.3 mi 7.9
BAIS YAAKOV BNOS ALIYA New York 0.3 mi 6.2
PS 87 WILLIAM SHERMAN New York 0.3 mi 5.5
MS 247 DUAL LANGUAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 4.1
PS 811 MICKEY MANTLE SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.3
MS 245 COMPUTER SCHOOL (THE) New York 0.4 mi 7.3
ANDERSON SCHOOL (THE) New York 0.4 mi 7.0
DWIGHT SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.4
METROPOLITAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$182,614

Median Home Value

$1,746,400

Median Rent

$2,965/mo

Population

62,576

College Educated

84.2%

Homeownership

38.7%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding MS 243 Center School has a median household income of $182,614. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,746,400, with a median rent of $2,965/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
FRANKFORT-SCHUYLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Frankfort, NY 5.0
HAMILTON GRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New York, NY 5.0
IS 318 MATH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY THROUGH ARTS Bronx, NY 5.0
IS 68 ISAAC BILDERSEE Brooklyn, NY 5.0
JHS 143 ELEANOR ROOSEVELT New York, NY 5.0
MADIBA PREP MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about MS 243 Center School

What grades does MS 243 Center School serve?

MS 243 Center School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend MS 243 Center School?

MS 243 Center School has an enrollment of approximately 251 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 243 Center School?

The student-teacher ratio at MS 243 Center School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does MS 243 Center School rank in NY?

MS 243 Center School is ranked #3729 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is MS 243 Center School's MySchoolScout rating?

MS 243 Center School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 243 Center School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 243 Center School has 65.2% math proficiency and 87.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is MS 243 Center School a charter school?

No, MS 243 Center School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is MS 243 Center School a Title I school?

No, MS 243 Center School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 243 Center School?

22.3% of students at MS 243 Center 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
5th – 8th
Enrollment
251
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
New York County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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