Average
#2711 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #11
850 BAYCHESTER AVE, Bronx, NY 10475
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bronx
#251 of 450
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,516 of 2,549
In district
#37 of 62
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #11
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman
PS 178 DR SELMAN WAKSMAN is an elementary school located in the Bronx, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 326 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, PS 178 provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. The school has 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic growth and development of its young learners.
Academically, PS 178 currently ranks in the lower tier among New York state schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.1 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA), 36% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 20% meet proficiency standards. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to helping its students improve their skills and achieve greater success.
PS 178 is situated in a bustling part of the Bronx, with Baychester Avenue serving as its main address. The community around PS 178 is dynamic and diverse, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experiences for both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman — Students at PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman Compares
See how PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
850 BAYCHESTER AVE, Bronx, NY 10475
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 153 HELEN KELLER (rated 9.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BAYCHESTER ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 111 SETON FALLS (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MS 596 Bronx | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| PS 176 Bronx | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| HARRY S TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| BRONX HEALTH SCIENCES HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| IS 181 PABLO CASALS Bronx | 0.1 mi | 8.7 |
| PS 153 HELEN KELLER Bronx | 0.2 mi | 9.1 |
| MS 180 DR DANIEL HALE WILLIAMS Bronx | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| GARVEY SCHOOL Bronx | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| CAPITAL PREPARATORY BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| PS 723 Bronx | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| CORNERSTONE ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL ACTION Bronx | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| CORNERSTONE ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL ACTION MIDDLE SCHOOL (CASA) Bronx | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| BAYCHESTER ACADEMY Bronx | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| CARDINAL SPELLMAN HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| PS 111 SETON FALLS Bronx | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BETTER LEARNING Bronx | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| JHS 144 MICHELANGELO Bronx | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| PELHAM GARDENS MIDDLE SCHOOL Bronx | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BETTER LEARNING II Bronx | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| SCO FAMILY SERVICES - THE CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10475 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,383
Median Home Value
$31,900
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
42,771
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
44.9%
Avg Commute
50.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
44.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman has a median household income of $62,383. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $31,900, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute in the area is 50 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 |
|---|---|
| ALLEN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Syracuse, NY | 6.1 |
| ANN G MCGUINNESS ELEMENTAR SCHOOL Endicott, NY | 6.1 |
| BIG CROSS STREET SCHOOL Glens Falls, NY | 6.1 |
| CANDOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Candor, NY | 6.1 |
| EAST VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Olean, NY | 6.1 |
| FRANK M KNIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seneca Falls, NY | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman
What grades does PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman serve?
PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman?
PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman rank in NY?
PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman is ranked #2711 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman has a composite rating of 6.1 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 178 Dr Selman Waksman?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman has 19.8% math proficiency and 35.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman a charter school?
No, PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman a Title I school?
No, PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman?
78.5% of students at PS 178 Dr Selman Waksman 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
- 326
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bronx County
- Phone
- (718) 904-5570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #11- District Enrollment
- 32,583
- Schools in District
- 62
- District Rank
- #37 of 62
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.