Average
#3652 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 7
628 TINTON AVE, Bronx, NY 10455
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bronx
#350 of 450
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,939 of 2,549
In district
#34 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 7
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School
PS 161 Juan Ponce de Leon School is an elementary school located in the Bronx, offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 321 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, PS 161 provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes. The school is staffed by 27 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to the academic and social growth of their students.
While PS 161's MySchoolScout rating of 2.7/10 indicates room for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering a nurturing atmosphere where children can develop essential skills. In terms of academic performance, 36% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 21% demonstrate proficiency or better in Math. These scores suggest that PS 161 is focusing on student development with an eye toward improvement.
PS 161 Juan Ponce de Leon School sits within a bustling urban setting in the Bronx, providing students with opportunities to engage with their community and learn from diverse experiences.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School — Students at PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 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: 4.6/10.
How PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School Compares
See how PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 34.5% (2021).
Location
628 TINTON AVE, Bronx, NY 10455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANSELM PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 157 GROVE HILL (rated 5.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 25 BILINGUAL SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST ANSELM PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| PS 25 BILINGUAL SCHOOL Bronx | 0.1 mi | 5.4 |
| PS 5 PORT MORRIS Bronx | 0.2 mi | 4.1 |
| SOUTH BRONX EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| STOREFRONT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.2 mi | 3.7 |
| MS 302 LUISA DESSUS CRUZ Bronx | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| GIRLS PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE BRONX Bronx | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUTH BRONX ACADEMY FOR APPLIED MEDIA Bronx | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| ACADEMY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Bronx | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| JILL CHAIFETZ TRANSFER HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| PS 17 Bronx | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| PS 130 ABRAM STEVENS HEWITT Bronx | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| MOTT HAVEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| HERO HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| PS 62 INOCENSIO CASANOVA Bronx | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| JM RAPPORT SCHOOL FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT Bronx | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| UNIVERSITY PREP CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Bronx | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| PS 157 GROVE HILL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| BRILLA VERITAS CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| NEIGHBORHOOD CHARTER SCHOOL-BRONX Bronx | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$36,701
Median Home Value
$348,700
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
Population
42,940
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
10.3%
Avg Commute
40.8 min
Poverty Rate
33%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School has a median household income of $36,701. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $348,700, with a median rent of $1,130/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 41 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 |
|---|---|
| CAMBRIA CENTER FOR THE GIFTED CHILD Cambria Heights, NY | 5.1 |
| CARLYLE C RING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamestown, NY | 5.1 |
| CHERRY LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Suffern, NY | 5.1 |
| CHESTNUT HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Liverpool, NY | 5.1 |
| DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 5.1 |
| EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-PS 267 New York, NY | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School
What grades does PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School serve?
PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School?
PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School has an enrollment of approximately 321 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School rank in NY?
PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is ranked #3652 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School has 20.8% math proficiency and 36.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School a charter school?
No, PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School a Title I school?
No, PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School?
96.0% of students at PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 321
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bronx County
- Phone
- (718) 292-5478
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 7- District Enrollment
- 15,146
- Schools in District
- 41
- District Rank
- #34 of 40
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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