Below Average

#3817 of 4,742 schools in NY

PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

216 E 120TH ST, New York, NY 10035

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#3,817 of 4,742

In New York

#296 of 346

public schools

In district

#19 of 28

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

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Elementary School in New York · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta

PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta is a public elementary school in New York, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4. PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,817 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district

4.6

This school 4.6 · Below Average
District avg 4.8
NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

78% of students at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress6.5Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data14

Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics3.0Needs Improvement30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency12.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency21.6% (2022 EdFacts)

Math vs. State Avg-41 pts

Reading vs. State Avg-39.3 pts

Overall Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-18.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile12th

Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1

Chronic Absenteeism77.5%

PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta — Students at PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

40.4% (2021 NYSED)

ELA Proficiency 28.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

59.0% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 38 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

68%

ELA

47%

2010

Math

41%

ELA

27%

2011

Math

34%

ELA

26%

2012

Math

ELA

10%

2013

Math

ELA

11%

2014

Math

ELA

12%

2015

Math

ELA

17%

2016

Math

11%

ELA

14%

2017

Math

14%

ELA

16%

2018

Math

25%

ELA

21%

2019

Math

25%

ELA

21%

2020*

Math

15%

ELA

44.5%

2021*

Math

21.3%

ELA

43.4%

2022

Math

12.5%

ELA

21.6%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta Compares

See how PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

4.6/10

20th percentile in NY

Academic

3.0/10

Needs Improvement

Growth

6.5/10

Average

Environment

2.1/10

Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

97%

Teaching Staff

11:1 student-teacher ratio

38 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

77.5%

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. SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2 (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOUNT CARMEL-HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAUL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
PS 7 SAMUEL STERN New York	0.1 mi	400	5.2
HARLEM PREP CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	793	5.1
DEMOCRACY PREP ENDURANCE CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	634	5.4
PS 155 WILLIAM PACA New York	0.2 mi	255	4.7
RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York	0.2 mi	145	5.6
RIVER EAST ELEMENTARY New York	0.2 mi	244	4.3
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	388	7.8
ST PAUL SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	177	6.7
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SCHOOL New York	0.3 mi	579	2.8
PS 102 JACQUES CARTIER New York	0.4 mi	236	4.8
MOUNT CARMEL-HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL New York	0.3 mi	157	6.9
PS 79 HORAN SCHOOL New York	0.3 mi	217	3.7
PS 30 HERNANDEZ/HUGHES New York	0.4 mi	164	6.3
PS 138 New York	0.4 mi	693	—
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2 New York	0.4 mi	237	7.2
THE KINGS ACADEMY OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD New York	0.4 mi	23	—
MANHATTAN CENTER FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS New York	0.5 mi	1,648	8.0
ISAAC NEWTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE New York	0.5 mi	292	6.5
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL COMMERCE (THE) New York	0.5 mi	147	4.5
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY II CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.5 mi	1,054	7.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
BALLARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilton, NY	317	4.6
BARACK OBAMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hempstead, NY	524	4.6
BRIGHTER CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Albany, NY	318	4.6
CAIRO-DURHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cairo, NY	441	4.6
CHESTNUT HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Liverpool, NY	404	4.6
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL ACTION Bronx, NY	279	4.6

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 ranks #3,817 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 96 Joseph Lanzetta?

Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

Explore More Schools

All schools in New York, NY Schools in NY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 District 20 nearby schools Explore New York school quality map

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score: 96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score: 100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score: 83 Very Bikeable

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23): 77.5%
Phone: (212) 860-5851

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4

District Enrollment: 11,690
Schools in District: 29
District Rank: #19 of 28

Other Schools in This District

CENTRAL PARK EAST HIGH SCHOOL 9.5 PARK EAST HIGH SCHOOL 8.5 PS 171 PATRICK HENRY 8.3 TAG YOUNG SCHOLARS 8.3 MANHATTAN CENTER FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS 8.0

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 NY EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta

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