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Very Good

#1383 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 29% in state

MS 255 Salk School of Science

Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2

320 E 20TH ST, New York, NY 10003

Enrollment

369

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New York

#132 of 346

public schools

New York middle schools

#153 of 785

In district

#55 of 118

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About MS 255 Salk School of Science

MS 255 Salk School of Science serves 369 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in Manhattan's Gramercy area. This highly-regarded public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive focused attention. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #194 out of 4,758 schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile among New York schools.

Students excel academically with 97% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 96% meeting or exceeding standards in Math across all grade levels, resulting in a perfect 10.0 academic score. Located at 320 E 20th Street, the school sits in an affluent neighborhood where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $152,863. This educated community environment likely contributes to the school's strong academic culture and high achievement levels.

The school serves families in the 10003 ZIP code area, a vibrant Manhattan neighborhood with a population of 53,877 residents. Despite the area's prosperity, with median home values around $1,111,000, the community maintains some economic diversity with a 12.1% poverty rate, creating opportunities for students from varied backgrounds to learn together in this high-achieving urban academic environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency97%
Math vs. State Avg+52.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.2 pts
Overall Proficiency95%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+27.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment3.2Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1

MS 255 Salk School of Science — Students at MS 255 Salk School of Science score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 93.8%
School
State
40.2%
ELA Proficiency 96.6%
School
State
57.2%

Based on 9 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2021*
Math
94.3%
ELA
97.3%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How MS 255 Salk School of Science Compares

See how MS 255 Salk School of Science performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in NY
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

320 E 20TH ST, New York, NY 10003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering MS 255 Salk School of Science may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE & ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is 47 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LOWER SCHOOL (THE) (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ACADEMY FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.4 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 40 AUGUSTUS SAINT-GAUDENS New York 0.0 mi 6.5
JHS 104 SIMON BARUCH New York 0.0 mi 6.7
LEARNINGSPRING SCHOOL New York 0.1 mi 8.1
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE & ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 9.2
47 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LOWER SCHOOL (THE) New York 0.2 mi 8.6
HIGH SCHOOL FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS & HUMAN SERVICES New York 0.2 mi 7.1
INSTITUTE FOR COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION New York 0.2 mi 7.1
PS 226 New York 0.2 mi 7.3
FRIENDS SEMINARY New York 0.2 mi 6.7
MANHATTAN COMPREHENSIVE NIGHT AND DAY HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 5.0
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.2
SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 6.9
GRAMERCY ARTS HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.5
HIGH SCHOOL FOR LANGUAGE AND DIPLOMACY (THE) New York 0.3 mi 7.5
INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT UNION SQUARE New York 0.3 mi 5.2
UNION SQUARE ACADEMY FOR HEALTH SCIENCES New York 0.3 mi 7.0
ACADEMY FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING New York 0.3 mi 8.2
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-UNION SQUARE New York 0.3 mi 4.7
ECOLE INTERNATIONALE DE NEW YORK - THE ECOLE New York 0.4 mi 7.4
EAST VILLAGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL (THE) New York 0.4 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$153,750

Median Home Value

$1,137,000

Median Rent

$2,772/mo

Population

53,825

College Educated

82.2%

Homeownership

34.7%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

31.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding MS 255 Salk School of Science has a median household income of $153,750. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,137,000, with a median rent of $2,772/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
BRIARCLIFF MIDDLE SCHOOL Briarcliff Manor, NY 7.2
MOTT HALL COMMUNITY SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.2
PUTNAM VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Putnam Valley, NY 7.2
BRONX ACADEMY FOR MULTI-MEDIA Bronx, NY 7.3
JHS 144 MICHELANGELO Bronx, NY 7.3
MS 245 COMPUTER SCHOOL (THE) New York, NY 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about MS 255 Salk School of Science

What grades does MS 255 Salk School of Science serve?

MS 255 Salk School of Science serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend MS 255 Salk School of Science?

MS 255 Salk School of Science has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 255 Salk School of Science?

The student-teacher ratio at MS 255 Salk School of Science is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does MS 255 Salk School of Science rank in NY?

MS 255 Salk School of Science is ranked #1383 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is MS 255 Salk School of Science's MySchoolScout rating?

MS 255 Salk School of Science 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 MS 255 Salk School of Science?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 255 Salk School of Science has 93.8% math proficiency and 96.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is MS 255 Salk School of Science a charter school?

No, MS 255 Salk School of Science is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is MS 255 Salk School of Science a Title I school?

No, MS 255 Salk School of Science is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 255 Salk School of Science?

24.7% of students at MS 255 Salk School of Science 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

Walk Score
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
95 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (3,049/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
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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