Very Good
#1055 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 22% in state
PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4
216 E 120TH ST, New York, NY 10035
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#101 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#667 of 2,549
In district
#11 of 28
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta
PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is an elementary school nestled in the heart of New York City, located at 216 E 120TH ST. Serving a diverse community, PS 96 offers education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade to its 422 students. The school prides itself on maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention and support.
With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, PS 96 focuses on fostering a nurturing learning environment where students can grow both academically and socially. While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.1 out of 10, indicating room for improvement, the school continues to work towards enhancing its academic offerings and student development programs. In terms of test performance, PS 96 has 40% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 22% proficient in Math across all grades.
These numbers reflect areas where the school is focusing on improving educational outcomes for its students. Despite these challenges, PS 96 remains dedicated to providing a strong foundation in core subjects and supporting every child's learning journey. Situated within New York City’s dynamic landscape, PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is deeply connected to its urban setting, offering a rich environment that complements the educational experiences it provides.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta 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 96 Joseph Lanzetta — Students at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 14 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: 9.1/10.
How PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta Compares
See how PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 44.5% (2021).
Location
216 E 120TH ST, New York, NY 10035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 7 SAMUEL STERN (rated 8.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PS 155 WILLIAM PACA (rated 7.6/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,556
Median Home Value
$663,500
Median Rent
$1,283/mo
Population
39,082
College Educated
30.7%
Homeownership
9.9%
Avg Commute
37.6 min
Poverty Rate
37.2%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has a median household income of $40,556. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $663,500, with a median rent of $1,283/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 38 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 |
|---|---|
| ARCHER STREET SCHOOL Freeport, NY | 7.5 |
| BLACK RIVER SCHOOL Black River, NY | 7.5 |
| BROOKLYN ARBOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 7.5 |
| CASTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Castleton, NY | 7.5 |
| DEERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica, NY | 7.5 |
| ELBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elbridge, NY | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta
What grades does PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta serve?
PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta?
PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta rank in NY?
PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is ranked #1055 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has a composite rating of 7.5 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 96 Joseph Lanzetta?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has 21.9% math proficiency and 40.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta a charter school?
No, PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta a Title I school?
No, PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta?
97.4% of students at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 860-5851
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 29
- District Rank
- #11 of 28
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
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- 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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