Average
#2987 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 188 Island School (the)
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1
442 E HOUSTON ST, New York, NY 10002
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#241 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,634 of 2,549
In district
#17 of 26
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About PS 188 Island School (the)
PS 188 ISLAND SCHOOL, nestled in the heart of New York City, is a public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 456 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, PS 188 offers a supportive learning environment. The school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
PS 188's academic performance is currently rated at 2.0/10 by MySchoolScout and ranks in the 12th percentile among New York schools, with only 30% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 25% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, PS 188 is committed to student development and continuous growth. The school's setting in the bustling city provides a dynamic backdrop for learning, immersing students in the vibrant culture and resources of New York.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 188 Island School (the) 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
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Data not available for this school
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PS 188 Island School (the) — Students at PS 188 Island School (the) 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
96.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 15 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: 7.6/10.
How PS 188 Island School (the) Compares
See how PS 188 Island School (the) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
442 E HOUSTON ST, New York, NY 10002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 188 Island School (the) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 15 ROBERTO CLEMENTE (rated 9.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 110 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 134 HENRIETTA SZOLD (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GIRLS PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL OF NEW YORK New York | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE New York | 0.1 mi | 7.9 |
| NEW EXPLORATIONS INTO SCIENCETECH AND MATH HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| PS 15 ROBERTO CLEMENTE New York | 0.2 mi | 9.2 |
| PS 110 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE New York | 0.3 mi | 9.2 |
| PS 140 NATHAN STRAUS New York | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| PS 64 ROBERT SIMON New York | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| EARTH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| TOMPKINS SQUARE MIDDLE SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| NEW AMSTERDAM SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 142 AMALIA CASTRO New York | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| MANHATTAN CHARTER SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| PS 34 FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT New York | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| CORNELIA CONNELLY CENTER New York | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| BETH JACOB PAROCHIAL SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| PS 134 HENRIETTA SZOLD New York | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP SCHOOL (THE) New York | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| LOWER EAST SIDE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL LEADERS New York | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| PS 20 ANNA SILVER New York | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,525
Median Home Value
$808,500
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Population
75,517
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
18.6%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 188 Island School (the) has a median household income of $46,525. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $808,500, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| BARACK OBAMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hempstead, NY | 5.8 |
| BARRINGER ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ilion, NY | 5.8 |
| BELLAMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rome, NY | 5.8 |
| CHENANGO FORKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binghamton, NY | 5.8 |
| CORINTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Corinth, NY | 5.8 |
| DAVISON AVENUE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Lynbrook, NY | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 188 Island School (the)
What grades does PS 188 Island School (the) serve?
PS 188 Island School (the) serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 188 Island School (the)?
PS 188 Island School (the) has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 188 Island School (the)?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 188 Island School (the) is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 188 Island School (the) rank in NY?
PS 188 Island School (the) is ranked #2987 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 188 Island School (the)'s MySchoolScout rating?
PS 188 Island School (the) has a composite rating of 5.8 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 188 Island School (the)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 188 Island School (the) has 24.7% math proficiency and 29.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 188 Island School (the) a charter school?
No, PS 188 Island School (the) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 188 Island School (the) a Title I school?
No, PS 188 Island School (the) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 188 Island School (the)?
96.7% of students at PS 188 Island School (the) 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
- City Safety
- High (3,049/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 456
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 677-5710
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1- District Enrollment
- 9,896
- Schools in District
- 26
- District Rank
- #17 of 26
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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