Excellent
#116 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 2% in state
PS 163 Alfred E Smith
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3
163 W 97TH ST, New York, NY 10025
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#17 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#88 of 2,549
In district
#3 of 42
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 163 Alfred E Smith
PS 163 Alfred E Smith is a public elementary school in New York, NY, part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3. The school serves approximately 524 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 97.6th percentile among NY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 78% proficiency in math, 30 points above the state average and 81% in reading/language arts, 24 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $109,195, where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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PS 163 Alfred E Smith — Students at PS 163 Alfred E Smith score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.4%
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
↑ 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: 9.7/10.
How PS 163 Alfred E Smith Compares
See how PS 163 Alfred E Smith performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 82% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 87% (2021).
Location
163 W 97TH ST, New York, NY 10025
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 163 Alfred E Smith may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 75 EMILY DICKINSON (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BASIS INDEPENDENT MANHATTAN (rated 9.1/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PS 333 MANHATTAN SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN (rated 8.2/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE STUDIO SCHOOL New York | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI COLUMBUS SQUARE New York | 0.1 mi | — |
| BASIS INDEPENDENT MANHATTAN New York | 0.1 mi | 9.1 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN New York | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| LAFAYETTE ACADEMY New York | 0.2 mi | 8.3 |
| COMMUNITY ACTION SCHOOL-MS 258 New York | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| PS 333 MANHATTAN SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN New York | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| MANHATTAN CHILDREN'S CENTER (THE) New York | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| ALEXANDER ROBERTSON SCHOOL New York | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| COLUMBIA GRAMMAR & PREPARATORY SCHOOL New York | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| PS 75 EMILY DICKINSON New York | 0.3 mi | 9.2 |
| PS 84 LILLIAN WEBER New York | 0.4 mi | 7.8 |
| PS 145 BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL (THE) New York | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| WEST PREP ACADEMY New York | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| THE GENEVA SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN New York | 0.4 mi | 7.9 |
| PS 166 RICHARD ROGERS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCE (THE) New York | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| WEST SIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | — |
| DWIGHT SCHOOL New York | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| JHS 54 BOOKER T WASHINGTON New York | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| PS 165 ROBERT E SIMON New York | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,195
Median Home Value
$1,125,200
Median Rent
$2,009/mo
Population
93,223
College Educated
68.8%
Homeownership
30.7%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 163 Alfred E Smith has a median household income of $109,195. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,125,200, with a median rent of $2,009/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| BARTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Patchogue, NY | 8.8 |
| C V STARR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Brewster, NY | 8.8 |
| EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Long Beach, NY | 8.8 |
| MEDFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Patchogue, NY | 8.8 |
| PS 6 CORPORAL ALLAN F KIVLEHAN SCHOOL Staten Island, NY | 8.8 |
| SMITHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Smithtown, NY | 8.8 |
Compare PS 163 Alfred E Smith with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- ComparePS 163 Alfred E Smith vs PS 133 FRED R MOORENEW YORK, NY Peer score 9.5/10 +0.7 vs PS 163 Alfred E Smith
- ComparePS 163 Alfred E Smith vs PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNENew York, NY Peer score 9.4/10 +0.6 vs PS 163 Alfred E Smith
- ComparePS 163 Alfred E Smith vs PROFESSOR JUAN BOSCH PUBLIC SCHOOLNew York, NY Peer score 9.4/10 +0.6 vs PS 163 Alfred E Smith
- ComparePS 163 Alfred E Smith vs CENTRAL PARK EAST IINew York, NY Peer score 9.3/10 +0.5 vs PS 163 Alfred E Smith
- ComparePS 163 Alfred E Smith vs AMISTAD DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOLNew York, NY Peer score 9.3/10 +0.5 vs PS 163 Alfred E Smith
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 163 Alfred E Smith
What grades does PS 163 Alfred E Smith serve?
PS 163 Alfred E Smith serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 163 Alfred E Smith?
PS 163 Alfred E Smith has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 163 Alfred E Smith?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 163 Alfred E Smith is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 163 Alfred E Smith rank in NY?
PS 163 Alfred E Smith is ranked #116 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 163 Alfred E Smith's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 163 Alfred E Smith has a composite rating of 8.8 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 163 Alfred E Smith?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 163 Alfred E Smith has 78.0% math proficiency and 81.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 163 Alfred E Smith a charter school?
No, PS 163 Alfred E Smith is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 163 Alfred E Smith a Title I school?
No, PS 163 Alfred E Smith is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 163 Alfred E Smith?
66.4% of students at PS 163 Alfred E Smith 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
- Walk Score
- 99 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 100 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 84 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,049/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 524
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 678-2854
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3- District Enrollment
- 19,335
- Schools in District
- 43
- District Rank
- #3 of 42
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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- 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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