Below Average
#4151 of 4,742 schools in NY
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
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,151 of 4,742
In New York
#316 of 346
public schools
In district
#25 of 28
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
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PS 197 John B Russwurm
Elementary School in New York · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Democracy Preparatory Charter School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
PS 133 Fred R Moore
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 197 John B Russwurm
PS 197 John B Russwurm is a public elementary school in New York, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5. PS 197 John B Russwurm serves approximately 199 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 197 John B Russwurm has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #4,151 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 197 John B Russwurm show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 5.3
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 199 students, PS 197 John B Russwurm is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 9.5:1 students to teachers, PS 197 John B Russwurm sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
55% of students at PS 197 John B Russwurm 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 197 John B Russwurm — Students at PS 197 John B Russwurm score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96%
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: 4.4/10.
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
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. GLOBAL COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2 (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 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 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARBOR HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany, NY | 4.1 |
| BRIGHTER CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BOYS Albany, NY | 4.1 |
| DEPOSIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Deposit, NY | 4.1 |
| DESTINE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Schenectady, NY | 4.1 |
| HOLLAND PATENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holland Patent, NY | 4.1 |
| IVY HILL PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 4.1 |
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 ranks #4,151 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 197 John B Russwurm's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 197 John B Russwurm has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 197 John B Russwurm?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 197 John B Russwurm has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 54.8%
- Phone
- (212) 690-5960
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5- District Enrollment
- 8,945
- Schools in District
- 28
- District Rank
- #25 of 28
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.
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