Very Good
#1170 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 25% in state
PS 197 John B Russwurm
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
2230 5TH AVE, New York, NY 10037
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#110 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#741 of 2,549
In district
#10 of 28
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 197 John B Russwurm
PS 197 John B Russwurm is an elementary school located in the heart of New York City, offering a wide range of educational opportunities from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 199 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, the school fosters a supportive learning environment that encourages individual attention for each child. The teaching staff includes 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students grow academically and personally.
While PS 197's MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10 and its state ranking places it at #3728 among 4758 schools in New York, the school remains committed to focusing on student development and providing resources that meet diverse learning needs. On standardized tests, 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 22% are proficient or above in Math. PS 197 John B Russwurm is situated in a bustling city setting, where the vibrant energy of New York City provides a rich backdrop for educational experiences.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 199 students, PS 197 John B Russwurm is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at PS 197 John B Russwurm 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, PS 197 John B Russwurm offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 197 John B Russwurm — Students at PS 197 John B Russwurm score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96%
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: 9.5/10.
How PS 197 John B Russwurm Compares
See how PS 197 John B Russwurm performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
Location
2230 5TH AVE, New York, NY 10037
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 197 John B Russwurm may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 133 FRED R MOORE (rated 9.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE (rated 9.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,250
Median Rent
$1,406/mo
Population
18,333
College Educated
43.2%
Homeownership
8.9%
Avg Commute
39.5 min
Poverty Rate
27.9%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 197 John B Russwurm has a median household income of $51,250. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 27.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 40 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 |
|---|---|
| BAYVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Bayville, NY | 7.4 |
| BROOKLYN WALDORF SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 7.4 |
| ECOLE INTERNATIONALE DE NEW YORK - THE ECOLE New York, NY | 7.4 |
| EMMA C CHASE SCHOOL Wurtsboro, NY | 7.4 |
| FORT ANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Ann, NY | 7.4 |
| HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hamilton, NY | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 197 John B Russwurm
What grades does PS 197 John B Russwurm serve?
PS 197 John B Russwurm serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 197 John B Russwurm?
PS 197 John B Russwurm has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 197 John B Russwurm?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 197 John B Russwurm is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 197 John B Russwurm rank in NY?
PS 197 John B Russwurm is ranked #1170 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 197 John B Russwurm's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 197 John B Russwurm has a composite rating of 7.4 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 197 John B Russwurm?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 197 John B Russwurm has 22.4% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 197 John B Russwurm a charter school?
No, PS 197 John B Russwurm is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 197 John B Russwurm a Title I school?
No, PS 197 John B Russwurm is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 197 John B Russwurm?
96.0% of students at PS 197 John B Russwurm 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 199
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 690-5960
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5- District Enrollment
- 8,945
- Schools in District
- 28
- District Rank
- #10 of 28
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
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