Very Good
#1169 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 25% in state
PS 36 Margaret Douglas
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
123 MORNINGSIDE DR, New York, NY 10027
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#109 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#740 of 2,549
In district
#9 of 28
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 36 Margaret Douglas
PS 36 Margaret Douglas is an elementary school nestled in the heart of New York City, offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 277 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, PS 36 provides a supportive learning environment that fosters individual attention and growth. The school employs 29 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, PS 36 holds a rating of 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 50th percentile among New York State schools. While proficiency rates in ELA/Reading stand at 52% and Math at 19%, these scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on further academic development to better support its students' needs. PS 36 Margaret Douglas sits in a bustling urban setting, surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city’s Lower Manhattan neighborhood.
The school community reflects the diverse tapestry of New York, offering an inclusive and enriching educational experience for all learners.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, PS 36 Margaret Douglas 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 36 Margaret Douglas — Students at PS 36 Margaret Douglas score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 6 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How PS 36 Margaret Douglas Compares
See how PS 36 Margaret Douglas performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 75% (2021).
Location
123 MORNINGSIDE DR, New York, NY 10027
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 36 Margaret Douglas may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE (rated 8.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 180 HUGO NEWMAN (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 129 JOHN H FINLEY (rated 8.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10027 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,220
Median Home Value
$915,000
Median Rent
$1,609/mo
Population
65,068
College Educated
51.8%
Homeownership
15.7%
Avg Commute
31.5 min
Poverty Rate
23.7%
Median Age
32.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 36 Margaret Douglas has a median household income of $64,220. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $915,000, with a median rent of $1,609/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. 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 |
| BEMUS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bemus Point, NY | 7.4 |
| E R CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Katrine, NY | 7.4 |
| ECOLE INTERNATIONALE DE NEW YORK - THE ECOLE New York, NY | 7.4 |
| EDGEWOOD SCHOOL Scarsdale, NY | 7.4 |
| EMMA C CHASE SCHOOL Wurtsboro, NY | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 36 Margaret Douglas
What grades does PS 36 Margaret Douglas serve?
PS 36 Margaret Douglas serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 36 Margaret Douglas?
PS 36 Margaret Douglas has an enrollment of approximately 277 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 36 Margaret Douglas?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 36 Margaret Douglas is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 36 Margaret Douglas rank in NY?
PS 36 Margaret Douglas is ranked #1169 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 36 Margaret Douglas's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 36 Margaret Douglas 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 36 Margaret Douglas?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 36 Margaret Douglas has 19.0% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 36 Margaret Douglas a charter school?
No, PS 36 Margaret Douglas is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 36 Margaret Douglas a Title I school?
No, PS 36 Margaret Douglas is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 36 Margaret Douglas?
91.0% of students at PS 36 Margaret Douglas 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
- 277
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 690-5807
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5- District Enrollment
- 8,945
- Schools in District
- 28
- District Rank
- #9 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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