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
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
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
↑ 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 92% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 94% (2019) to 97% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (212) 614-8785
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2- District Enrollment
- 55,421
- Schools in District
- 119
- District Rank
- #55 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
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