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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+4.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Math vs. State Avg-38.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

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

PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta — Students at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 21.9%
School
State
40.4%
ELA Proficiency 40.2%
School
State
59.0%

Based on 14 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
25%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
21.3%
ELA
43.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
78th percentile in NY
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 7 SAMUEL STERN New York 0.1 mi 8.5
HARLEM PREP CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 5.7
DEMOCRACY PREP ENDURANCE CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 4.8
PS 155 WILLIAM PACA New York 0.2 mi 7.6
RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York 0.2 mi 8.4
RIVER EAST ELEMENTARY New York 0.2 mi 6.8
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.8
ST PAUL SCHOOL New York 0.2 mi 6.7
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.2
PS 102 JACQUES CARTIER New York 0.4 mi 5.6
MOUNT CARMEL-HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 6.9
PS 79 HORAN SCHOOL New York 0.3 mi 7.3
PS 30 HERNANDEZ/HUGHES New York 0.4 mi 6.1
PS 138 New York 0.4 mi
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2 New York 0.4 mi 4.7
THE KINGS ACADEMY OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD New York 0.4 mi
MANHATTAN CENTER FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS New York 0.5 mi 5.9
ISAAC NEWTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE New York 0.5 mi 8.1
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL COMMERCE (THE) New York 0.5 mi 6.6
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY II CHARTER SCHOOL New York 0.5 mi 4.4

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
83 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,049/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.

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
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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