Very Good
#1541 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 33% in state
PS 78
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #31
100 TOMPKINS AVE, Staten Island, NY 10304
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Staten Island
#53 of 86
public schools
New York elementary schools
#931 of 2,549
In district
#47 of 74
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #31
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 78
PS 78 is an elementary school located on Staten Island in the heart of a large city, at 100 Tompkins Avenue. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 480 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, PS 78 provides personalized attention to each student.
PS 78's academic performance is currently rated at the 28th percentile in New York state, reflecting room for improvement in test scores. Specifically, 34% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 22% meet proficiency standards in math. These figures indicate areas where PS 78 focuses on student development and growth.
PS 78 is situated in a bustling urban setting that offers diverse opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. The school’s location provides students with a rich environment to explore and engage with their community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 78 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 78 — Students at PS 78 score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How PS 78 Compares
See how PS 78 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
100 TOMPKINS AVE, Staten Island, NY 10304
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 78 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FORT HILL COLLABORATIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 65 ACADEMY OF INNOVATIVE LEARNING (THE) (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WAVERLY ACADEMY OF EMPOWERED LEARNERS (THE) (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Staten Island, see our Staten Island schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,506
Median Home Value
$659,900
Median Rent
$1,516/mo
Population
45,843
College Educated
31.4%
Homeownership
49.4%
Avg Commute
42.8 min
Poverty Rate
17.8%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 78 has a median household income of $71,506. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $659,900, with a median rent of $1,516/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. The average commute in the area is 43 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 |
|---|---|
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamestown, NY | 7.1 |
| ALBANY SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Albany, NY | 7.1 |
| ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Allegany, NY | 7.1 |
| ANDREW MULLER PRIMARY SCHOOL Miller Place, NY | 7.1 |
| AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mahopac, NY | 7.1 |
| BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 78
What grades does PS 78 serve?
PS 78 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 78?
PS 78 has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 78?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 78 is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 78 rank in NY?
PS 78 is ranked #1541 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 78's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 78 has a composite rating of 7.1 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 78?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 78 has 21.6% math proficiency and 34.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 78 a charter school?
No, PS 78 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 78 a Title I school?
No, PS 78 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 78?
95.4% of students at PS 78 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 480
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Richmond County
- Phone
- (718) 442-3094
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #31- District Enrollment
- 60,047
- Schools in District
- 74
- District Rank
- #47 of 74
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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