Very Good
#1392 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 29% in state
PS 49 Willis Avenue
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 7
383 E 139TH ST, Bronx, NY 10454
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bronx
#107 of 450
public schools
New York elementary schools
#859 of 2,549
In district
#12 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 7
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 49 Willis Avenue
PS 49 Willis Avenue is a vibrant elementary school located in the Bronx, New York. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, PS 49 has an enrollment of 494 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, ensuring that each child receives ample attention and support. The school employs 49 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to foster a nurturing learning environment.
Academically, PS 49 is part of a larger city setting where it focuses on the development of its students with room for growth. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, PS 49 stands at 5.2 out of 10 and ranks 45th percentile among New York state schools, indicating opportunities for improvement in academic performance. In terms of proficiency rates, 46% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while 51% meet the criteria in Math.
PS 49 Willis Avenue is situated in a bustling urban environment, offering students unique cultural and community resources right outside its doors.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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PS 49 Willis Avenue — Students at PS 49 Willis Avenue score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 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: 7.0/10.
How PS 49 Willis Avenue Compares
See how PS 49 Willis Avenue performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 51% (2019) to 49.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 49.5% (2021).
Location
383 E 139TH ST, Bronx, NY 10454
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 49 Willis Avenue may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 18 JOHN PETER ZENGER (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL II (rated 7.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 30 WILTON (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$27,500
Median Home Value
$780,800
Median Rent
$1,064/mo
Population
40,368
College Educated
13.9%
Homeownership
6.4%
Avg Commute
39.4 min
Poverty Rate
42.8%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 49 Willis Avenue has a median household income of $27,500. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $780,800, with a median rent of $1,064/month. The area has a poverty rate of 42.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 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 |
|---|---|
| BEDFORD VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bedford, NY | 7.2 |
| BEEKMANTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Chazy, NY | 7.2 |
| CANISTEO-GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canisteo, NY | 7.2 |
| CATSKILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Catskill, NY | 7.2 |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 7.2 |
| COVERT AVENUE SCHOOL Elmont, NY | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 49 Willis Avenue
What grades does PS 49 Willis Avenue serve?
PS 49 Willis Avenue serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 49 Willis Avenue?
PS 49 Willis Avenue has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 49 Willis Avenue?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 49 Willis Avenue is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 49 Willis Avenue rank in NY?
PS 49 Willis Avenue is ranked #1392 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 49 Willis Avenue's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 49 Willis Avenue has a composite rating of 7.2 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 49 Willis Avenue?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 49 Willis Avenue has 50.9% math proficiency and 45.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 49 Willis Avenue a charter school?
No, PS 49 Willis Avenue is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 49 Willis Avenue a Title I school?
No, PS 49 Willis Avenue is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 49 Willis Avenue?
98.2% of students at PS 49 Willis Avenue 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
- 494
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bronx County
- Phone
- (718) 292-4623
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 7- District Enrollment
- 15,146
- Schools in District
- 41
- District Rank
- #12 of 40
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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