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Very Good

#960 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 20% in state

PS 155 William Paca

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

319 E 117TH ST, New York, NY 10035

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New York

#93 of 346

public schools

New York elementary schools

#613 of 2,549

In district

#10 of 28

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About PS 155 William Paca

PS 155 William Paca is an elementary school located in the heart of New York City, specifically at 319 E 117th St. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 255 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1. PS 155 offers a supportive learning environment, thanks to its relatively low teacher-to-student ratio, which allows for individual attention.

The academic performance at PS 155 indicates room for improvement, with 26% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 25% meeting proficiency standards in Math. The school currently ranks at the 27th percentile among all New York schools based on MySchoolScout's rating system. Despite these challenges, the dedicated teaching staff works tirelessly to enhance student learning and development.

PS 155 is situated in a vibrant city setting that offers numerous cultural and educational opportunities for students beyond the classroom. The school community reflects the diverse character of its urban location, providing a rich environment where children can grow and thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at PS 155 William Paca are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, PS 155 William Paca 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 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-12.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1

PS 155 William Paca — Students at PS 155 William Paca score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.8%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 26.2%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 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
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
26.8%
ELA
28.5%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How PS 155 William Paca Compares

See how PS 155 William Paca performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
80th percentile in NY
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

319 E 117TH ST, New York, NY 10035

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 155 William Paca may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 7 SAMUEL STERN (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PS 112 JOSE CELSO BARBOSA (rated 7.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 96 JOSEPH LANZETTA (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.6 mi
School Distance Rating
RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York 0.0 mi 8.4
PS 96 JOSEPH LANZETTA New York 0.2 mi 7.5
RIVER EAST ELEMENTARY New York 0.2 mi 6.8
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.8
PS 102 JACQUES CARTIER New York 0.2 mi 5.6
HARLEM PREP CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 5.7
DEMOCRACY PREP ENDURANCE CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 4.8
MOUNT CARMEL-HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.9
MANHATTAN CENTER FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS New York 0.3 mi 5.9
ISAAC NEWTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE New York 0.3 mi 8.1
PS 7 SAMUEL STERN New York 0.3 mi 8.5
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.2
PS 206 JOSE CELSO BARBOSA New York 0.3 mi 5.7
PS 112 JOSE CELSO BARBOSA New York 0.3 mi 7.9
ST PAUL SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 6.7
PS 83 LUIS MUNOZ RIVERA New York 0.4 mi 6.2
BILINGUAL BICULTURAL SCHOOL (THE) New York 0.4 mi 6.0
TAG YOUNG SCHOLARS New York 0.5 mi 7.0
ESPERANZA PREPARATORY ACADEMY New York 0.5 mi 5.9
THE KINGS ACADEMY OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD New York 0.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,556

Median Home Value

$663,500

Median Rent

$1,283/mo

Population

39,082

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

9.9%

Avg Commute

37.6 min

Poverty Rate

37.2%

Median Age

36.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 155 William Paca has a median household income of $40,556. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $663,500, with a median rent of $1,283/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BELLE SHERMAN SCHOOL Ithaca, NY 7.6
CHAZY CENTRAL RURAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chazy, NY 7.6
CONCOURSE VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.6
D B BUNCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pavilion, NY 7.6
EDWARDS-KNOX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hermon, NY 7.6
ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 155 William Paca

What grades does PS 155 William Paca serve?

PS 155 William Paca serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 155 William Paca?

PS 155 William Paca has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 155 William Paca?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 155 William Paca is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 155 William Paca rank in NY?

PS 155 William Paca is ranked #960 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 155 William Paca's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 155 William Paca has a composite rating of 7.6 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 PS 155 William Paca?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 155 William Paca has 24.8% math proficiency and 26.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 155 William Paca a charter school?

No, PS 155 William Paca is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 155 William Paca a Title I school?

No, PS 155 William Paca is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 155 William Paca?

98.4% of students at PS 155 William Paca 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
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
83 Very Bikeable
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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
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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