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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+6.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Math vs. State Avg-29 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.4 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 22.4%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
26.1%
ELA
25.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in NY
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
DEMOCRACY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.0 mi 5.8
PS 133 FRED R MOORE New York 0.3 mi 9.5
FELLOWSHIP OF LEARNING SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi
GLOBAL COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 5.1
PS 175 HENRY H GARNET New York 0.3 mi 5.7
OGORMAN GARDEN MONTESSORI New York 0.3 mi
HARLEM RENAISSANCE HIGH SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 3.6
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL COMMERCE (THE) New York 0.4 mi 6.6
THURGOOD MARSHALL ACADEMY FOR LEARNING & SOCIAL CHANGE New York 0.4 mi 7.1
DEMOCRACY PREP HARLEM CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 4.4
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY II CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.5 mi 4.4
ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL New York 0.5 mi 6.9
PS 30 HERNANDEZ/HUGHES New York 0.5 mi 6.1
PS 138 New York 0.5 mi
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2 New York 0.5 mi 4.7
HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES HIGH SCHOOL Bronx 0.4 mi 7.0
COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Bronx 0.4 mi 5.9
PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE New York 0.4 mi 9.4
ST. HOPE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.4 mi 3.1
FAMILY LIFE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL III Bronx 0.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
93 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,049/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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