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Excellent

#502 of 4,742 schools in NY

Top 11% in state

PS 81 Robert J Christen

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #10

5550 RIVERDALE AVE, Bronx, NY 10471

Enrollment

699

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#502 of 4,742

In Bronx

#20 of 452

public schools

In district

#9 of 83

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #10

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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PS 81 Robert J Christen

8.2/10

Elementary School in Bronx · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sar High School

6.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Margaret of Cortona School

6.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About PS 81 Robert J Christen

PS 81 Robert J Christen is a public elementary school in Bronx, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #10. PS 81 Robert J Christen serves approximately 699 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 81 Robert J Christen has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #502 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for PS 81 Robert J Christen show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 4.9
  • NY avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Chronic Absenteeism22.2%

PS 81 Robert J Christen — Students at PS 81 Robert J Christen score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 64.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
48.1% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 64.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
57.0% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
65%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
63.3%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
66.3%
ELA
63.9%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How PS 81 Robert J Christen Compares

See how PS 81 Robert J Christen performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in NY
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.2%

Location

5550 RIVERDALE AVE, Bronx, NY 10471

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 81 Robert J Christen may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 24 SPUYTEN DUYVIL (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MILTON FEIN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ECFS (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SAR HIGH SCHOOL Bronx 0.3 mi 6.8
ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL Bronx 0.3 mi 6.4
YESHIVA OHAVEI TORAH OF RIVERDALE Bronx 0.5 mi 6.0
YESHIVA OF THE TELSHE ALUMNI Bronx 0.5 mi 6.5
HORACE MANN SCHOOL Bronx 0.8 mi 6.7
HORACE MANN SCHOOL LOWER DIVISION Bronx 0.8 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL 27 Yonkers 0.9 mi 7.3
THE BIONDI SCHOOL/RISING GROUND INC Yonkers 0.9 mi 7.3
ECFS Bronx 1.0 mi 8.4
PEARLS HAWTHORNE SCHOOL Yonkers 1.1 mi 8.1
LAS HERMANAS MIRABAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL Yonkers 1.0 mi 5.6
RIVERDALE/KINGSBRIDGE ACADEMY (MS/HS 141) Bronx 1.2 mi 5.9
ST GABRIEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronx 1.3 mi 6.9
PS 24 SPUYTEN DUYVIL Bronx 1.2 mi 8.6
EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS MICROSOCIETY SCHOOL Yonkers 1.3 mi 6.7
MILTON FEIN SCHOOL Bronx 1.5 mi 8.5
AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL KINGSBRIDGE Bronx 1.6 mi 8.0
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Bronx 1.6 mi 7.9
CESAR E CHAVEZ SCHOOL Yonkers 1.6 mi 4.7
AMPARK NEIGHBORHOOD Bronx 1.6 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10471 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,738

Median Home Value

$406,500

Median Rent

$1,729/mo

Population

23,400

College Educated

58.5%

Homeownership

57.5%

Avg Commute

44.7 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

46.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS Brooklyn, NY 8.2
BAYVIEW AVENUE SCHOOL Freeport, NY 8.2
BIRCH SCHOOL Merrick, NY 8.2
CANTIAGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jericho, NY 8.2
CHATSWORTH AVENUE SCHOOL Larchmont, NY 8.2
CHILDREN'S LAB SCHOOL (THE) Long Island City, NY 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 81 Robert J Christen

What grades does PS 81 Robert J Christen serve?

PS 81 Robert J Christen serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend PS 81 Robert J Christen?

PS 81 Robert J Christen has an enrollment of approximately 699 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 81 Robert J Christen?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 81 Robert J Christen is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 81 Robert J Christen rank in NY?

PS 81 Robert J Christen ranks #502 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is PS 81 Robert J Christen's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 81 Robert J Christen has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at PS 81 Robert J Christen?

Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 81 Robert J Christen has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is PS 81 Robert J Christen a charter school?

No, PS 81 Robert J Christen is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 81 Robert J Christen a Title I school?

No, PS 81 Robert J Christen is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 81 Robert J Christen?

43.5% of students at PS 81 Robert J Christen 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
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Bronx County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.2%

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