Needs Improvement
#4375 of 4,742 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
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,375 of 4,742
In Bronx
#402 of 452
public schools
In district
#42 of 46
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12
Shortlisting around PS 196?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
PS 196
Elementary School in Bronx · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
PS 195
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mott Hall V
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 196
PS 196 is a public elementary school in Bronx, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12. PS 196 serves approximately 661 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 196 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,375 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 196 show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.8
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at PS 196 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
PS 196 — Students at PS 196 score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 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: 3.1/10.
How PS 196 Compares
See how PS 196 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1250 WARD AVE, Bronx, NY 10472
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 196 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ICAHN CHARTER SCHOOL 7 (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BOLD CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SAMARA COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 4.3 |
| MOTT HALL V Bronx | 0.1 mi | 4.9 |
| CINEMA SCHOOL (THE) Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| HIGH SCHOOL OF WORLD CULTURES Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| PAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT MONROE Bronx | 0.1 mi | 7.1 |
| METROPOLITAN SOUNDVIEW HIGH SCHOOL (THE) Bronx | 0.1 mi | 5.4 |
| URBAN ASSEMBLY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE Bronx | 0.1 mi | — |
| JHS 123 JAMES M KIERNAN Bronx | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| SCHOOL FOR INQUIRY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (THE) Bronx | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| BOLD CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 152 EVERGREEN Bronx | 0.5 mi | 4.0 |
| SAMARA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| FANNIE LOU HAMER MIDDLE SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| FANNIE LOU HAMER FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL Bronx | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| PS 93 ALBERT G OLIVER Bronx | 0.6 mi | 2.6 |
| ICAHN CHARTER SCHOOL 7 Bronx | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| PS 214 Bronx | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| EMOLIOR ACADEMY Bronx | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| PS 66 SCHOOL OF HIGHER EXPECTATIONS Bronx | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| PS 811 Bronx | 0.5 mi | 3.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACHIEVEMENT FIRST NORTH BROOKLYN PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 3.7 |
| BELLEVUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 3.7 |
| BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 3.7 |
| BOULEVARD SCHOOL Gloversville, NY | 3.7 |
| BURTON STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cazenovia, NY | 3.7 |
| GRANBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fulton, NY | 3.7 |
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 ranks #4,375 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 196's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 196 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at PS 196?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 196 has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.1%
- Phone
- (718) 328-7187
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #12- District Enrollment
- 17,376
- Schools in District
- 47
- District Rank
- #42 of 46
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.