P.S. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School (07X161) is a public school in District 7, Melrose South-Mott Haven North, Bronx, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 41% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 297 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 15.1 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 math proficiency is 41%, lower than most NYC elementary schools and about typical for those with similar economic need; up 9 points from 2025; math is up 10 points since 2023, while citywide math rose 6 points.
Also worth knowing: Average class size (2025–26) is 15.1, smaller than most elementary schools in the district and citywide.
95%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
90%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 44% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.36 · 13th 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
33%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
96 students tested
35 students tested
61 students tested
Mathematics
41%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
94 students tested
33 students tested
61 students tested
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 | 37% | 33% |
| 2019 | 31% | 38% |
| 2022 | 30% | 18% |
| 2023 | 31% | 32% |
| 2024 | 24% | 20% |
| 2025 | 40% | 32% |
| 2026 | 33% | 41% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 80%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.2 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 93%
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 80%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.2 mi away
Economic need index: 93%
Economic need index: >95%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 93%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School | P.S. 048 Joseph R. Drake |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 33% (-7 points vs 2025) | 37% (+10 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 41% (+9 points vs 2025) | 44% (+18 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 15.1 | 18.5 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 297 | 450 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 90% | 94% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 95% | 96% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 96% |
| Leadership (2026) | 95% | 98% |
| Distance between schools | 0.1 mi | |
P.S. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School has lower family satisfaction (2026) than P.S. 048 Joseph R. Drake (90% vs 94%).
Enrollment
297 students
pre-K, K–5 · down 66 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
15.1
children in the average K–5 class; about 8.6 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
13%
was 12% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
91% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 93% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
35%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 2% White, 78% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 20% Black, 0% multiracial, 44% female, 56% male.
Economic need index: 93% — 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.
628 TINTON AVENUE
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.