M.S. 243 Center School (03M243) is a public school in District 3, Upper West Side, Manhattan, serving grades 5–8. In 2026, 77% of tested students were proficient in reading and 80% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 247 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 77%, higher than most NYC elementary schools and about typical for those with similar economic need; down 7 points from 2025; reading is down 7 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 56% in reading (68 tested), compared with 77% schoolwide.
96%
of parents trust the principal
95%
trust their child's teachers
96%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 89% of families answered.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.47 · 46th percentile
The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.
View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality SnapshotReading
77%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
240 students tested
68 students tested
172 students tested
Mathematics
80%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
185 students tested
45 students tested
140 students tested
Grade 8 math not reported by the DOE.
Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.
New York changed its grades 3–8 tests in 2023. Compare years from 2023 onward with each other, not with earlier years.
Citywide reading scores fell sharply in 2026; NYC Public Schools is reviewing the results. Source: NYC Public Schools
| Year | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 94% | 82% |
| 2019 | 91% | 86% |
| 2022 | 83% | 71% |
| 2023 | 83% | — |
| 2024 | 79% | 83% |
| 2025 | 84% | 83% |
| 2026 | 77% | 80% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 17%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 19%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 17%
Economic need index: 35%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 13%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 23%
Economic need index: 35%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 91%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 92%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 17%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 19%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 17%
Economic need index: 13%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 35%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 23%
Economic need index: 35%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 91%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 92%0.5 mi away
| Measure | M.S. 243 Center School | P.S. 009 Sarah Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 77% (-7 points vs 2025) | 83% (-3 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 80% (-3 points vs 2025) | 92% (+5 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 247 | 532 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 13.1 | 12.6 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 96% | 97% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 96% | 97% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 95% | 98% |
| Leadership (2026) | 97% | 98% |
| Distance between schools | <0.01 mi | |
M.S. 243 Center School has lower math proficiency than P.S. 009 Sarah Anderson (80% vs 92%) and lower reading proficiency (77% vs 83%); 2026 math is lower than most NYC elementary schools with similar economic need; 2026 reading is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
247 students
5–8 · about the same over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
13.1
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
1%
was 1% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
18% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 23% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
29%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 56% White, 16% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 11% Black, 8% multiracial, 54% female, 46% male.
Economic need index: 23% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.
NYC DOE · 2026 survey
NYC DOE · 2024–25
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.
100 WEST 84 STREET
Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · School information · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.