Average
#3001 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 196
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12
1250 WARD AVE, Bronx, NY 10472
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bronx
#287 of 450
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,642 of 2,549
In district
#33 of 46
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About PS 196
PS 196 is a public elementary school in the Bronx, New York, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 661 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, PS 196 offers a relatively personalized learning environment with 45 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.2 out of 10, placing it in the 12th percentile among New York state schools, indicating there's room for academic growth and improvement.
In terms of standardized test scores, PS 196 reports that 34% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 25% are proficient or above in math. These scores suggest areas where the school is focusing on student development to enhance academic performance. PS 196 is situated in a bustling city setting within the Bronx, offering its students access to urban resources and diverse community experiences.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 196 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
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PS 196 — Students at PS 196 score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.4%
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: 8.2/10.
How PS 196 Compares
See how PS 196 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
1250 WARD AVE, Bronx, NY 10472
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 196 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 214 (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 66 SCHOOL OF HIGHER EXPECTATIONS (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 152 EVERGREEN (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PS 195 Bronx | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| MOTT HALL V Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| CINEMA SCHOOL (THE) Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| HIGH SCHOOL OF WORLD CULTURES Bronx | 0.1 mi | 5.1 |
| PAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT MONROE Bronx | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| METROPOLITAN SOUNDVIEW HIGH SCHOOL (THE) Bronx | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| URBAN ASSEMBLY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE Bronx | 0.1 mi | — |
| JHS 123 JAMES M KIERNAN Bronx | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| SCHOOL FOR INQUIRY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (THE) Bronx | 0.4 mi | 8.6 |
| BOLD CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| PS 152 EVERGREEN Bronx | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| SAMARA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| FANNIE LOU HAMER MIDDLE SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| FANNIE LOU HAMER FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| PS 93 ALBERT G OLIVER Bronx | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| ICAHN CHARTER SCHOOL 7 Bronx | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| PS 214 Bronx | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| EMOLIOR ACADEMY Bronx | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 66 SCHOOL OF HIGHER EXPECTATIONS Bronx | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| PS 811 Bronx | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10472 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,125
Median Home Value
$632,500
Median Rent
$1,445/mo
Population
63,820
College Educated
13.6%
Homeownership
15.7%
Avg Commute
44.6 min
Poverty Rate
31.5%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 196 has a median household income of $43,125. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $632,500, with a median rent of $1,445/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 45 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS Brooklyn, NY | 5.8 |
| BARACK OBAMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hempstead, NY | 5.8 |
| BARRINGER ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ilion, NY | 5.8 |
| BELLAMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rome, NY | 5.8 |
| BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR EXCELLENCE Bronx, NY | 5.8 |
| CHENANGO FORKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binghamton, NY | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 196
What grades does PS 196 serve?
PS 196 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 196?
PS 196 has an enrollment of approximately 661 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 196?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 196 is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 196 rank in NY?
PS 196 is ranked #3001 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 196's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 196 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 196?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 196 has 25.2% math proficiency and 33.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 196 a charter school?
No, PS 196 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 196 a Title I school?
No, PS 196 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 196?
91.4% of students at PS 196 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
- 661
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bronx County
- Phone
- (718) 328-7187
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12- District Enrollment
- 17,376
- Schools in District
- 47
- District Rank
- #33 of 46
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
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- 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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