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Very Good

#1175 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 25% in state

PS 48 Joseph R Drake

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8

1290 SPOFFORD AVE, Bronx, NY 10474

Enrollment

459

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bronx

#86 of 450

public schools

New York elementary schools

#743 of 2,549

In district

#15 of 51

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About PS 48 Joseph R Drake

PS 48 Joseph R Drake is a public elementary school located in the Bronx, New York. Serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students, PS 48 has an enrollment of 459 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance, as rated by MySchoolScout, is at the 20th percentile among New York state schools, scoring 3.7 out of 10 for overall quality and 1.9 out of 10 for academic achievements.

In reading and math proficiency tests, PS 48 reports that 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 21% in Math. While these scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development, PS 48 offers a supportive learning environment with dedicated educators who work closely with each child. The school is situated within a bustling urban setting, providing diverse opportunities for students to engage with their community and learn valuable life skills.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at PS 48 Joseph R Drake 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+6.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37.3 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1

PS 48 Joseph R Drake — Students at PS 48 Joseph R Drake score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
50.7%
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
62.3%

Based on 7 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
20%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
21.7%
ELA
42.5%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How PS 48 Joseph R Drake Compares

See how PS 48 Joseph R Drake performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in NY
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

1290 SPOFFORD AVE, Bronx, NY 10474

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 48 Joseph R Drake may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 75 SCHOOL OF RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is PS 152 EVERGREEN (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL Bronx 0.1 mi 6.3
BRONX ACADEMY FOR MULTI-MEDIA Bronx 0.1 mi 7.3
LEADERS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx 0.1 mi 4.2
EMBLAZE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx 0.4 mi 4.1
BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS Bronx 0.5 mi 5.2
PS 75 SCHOOL OF RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY Bronx 0.6 mi 6.9
BRONX STUDIO SCHOOL FOR WRITERS AND ARTISTS Bronx 0.5 mi 6.0
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Bronx 0.5 mi 5.8
BRONX ARENA HIGH SCHOOL Bronx 0.6 mi 5.2
SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS Bronx 0.7 mi 6.9
ACCION ACADEMY Bronx 0.7 mi 6.8
SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx 0.7 mi 6.4
LONGWOOD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bronx 0.6 mi 7.4
PS 152 EVERGREEN Bronx 0.8 mi 6.5
BOLD CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx 0.8 mi 4.4
PS 93 ALBERT G OLIVER Bronx 0.8 mi 3.7
ICAHN CHARTER SCHOOL 7 Bronx 0.8 mi 4.7
LONGWOOD ACADEMY OF DISCOVERY (THE) Bronx 0.7 mi 5.0
PS 62 INOCENSIO CASANOVA Bronx 0.7 mi 5.4
PHAROS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx 0.8 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10474 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,279

Median Rent

$1,406/mo

Population

11,188

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

8.4%

Avg Commute

41.8 min

Poverty Rate

31.5%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 48 Joseph R Drake has a median household income of $41,279. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 31.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 42 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
AQUEBOGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aquebogue, NY 7.4
BEMUS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bemus Point, NY 7.4
CAMPBELL-SAVONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Savona, NY 7.4
CANTIAGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jericho, NY 7.4
COLONIAL VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY 7.4
COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Thornwood, NY 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 48 Joseph R Drake

What grades does PS 48 Joseph R Drake serve?

PS 48 Joseph R Drake serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 48 Joseph R Drake?

PS 48 Joseph R Drake has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 48 Joseph R Drake?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 48 Joseph R Drake is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 48 Joseph R Drake rank in NY?

PS 48 Joseph R Drake is ranked #1175 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 48 Joseph R Drake's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 48 Joseph R Drake 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 48 Joseph R Drake?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 48 Joseph R Drake has 21.3% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 48 Joseph R Drake a charter school?

No, PS 48 Joseph R Drake is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 48 Joseph R Drake a Title I school?

No, PS 48 Joseph R Drake is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 48 Joseph R Drake?

94.6% of students at PS 48 Joseph R Drake 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
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
85 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Bronx 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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