P.S. 196

P.S. 196 (12X196) is a public school in District 12, East Bronx, Bronx, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 672 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 21.6 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).

At a glance for families

  • Grades served: pre-K, K–5
  • Neighborhood: East Bronx
  • Zoned

Locations (1)

P.S. 196
1260 Ward Ave, Bronx, NY 10472, USA
Bronx, East Bronx

School Quality

The one thing to remember

2026 reading proficiency is 25%, lower than most NYC elementary schools and about typical for those with similar economic need; down 7 points from 2025; reading is down 8 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.

Also worth knowing: Math: 36% in 2026, up 5 points from 2025.

What the numbers say

  • Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students (2024–25).
  • Average class size (2025–26) is 21.6, larger than most district elementary schools.
  • Too few families answered the 2026 survey (15%) to compare results.
  • English learners make up 38% of students in 2025–26, a higher share than at most district elementary schools.

Family survey (2026), too few responses to compare: 15% answered

of parents trust the principal:
92%
trust their child's teachers:
92%
satisfied with the education overall:
93%

Test scores in context

Student progress (2024–25)

DOE School Quality Report

Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students

Impact score: 0.35 · 11th percentile

The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.

View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot

Reading

25%

2026

students scored at Level 3 or 4

293 students tested

Level 139%
Level 237%
Level 320%
Level 45%

Results for students in special education and general education students (2026)

Students in special education4%

79 students tested

General education students33%

214 students tested

See grade-by-grade results
Grade 321%
Grade 427%
Grade 526%

Mathematics

36%

2026

students scored at Level 3 or 4

298 students tested

Level 137%
Level 228%
Level 329%
Level 47%

Results for students in special education and general education students (2026)

Students in special education17%

78 students tested

General education students42%

220 students tested

See grade-by-grade results
Grade 338%
Grade 437%
Grade 532%

Reading benchmarks

2026
This school25%
District 1235%
NYC public schools (DOE)51%

Math benchmarks

2026
This school36%
District 1240%
NYC public schools (DOE)58%

Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.

Proficiency over time

0%25%50%75%100%New state tests25%25%22%36%2018201920222023202420252026
ReadingMath

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

View the data behind this chart
YearReadingMath
201825%22%
201923%29%
202229%23%
202332%31%
202423%37%
202532%30%
202625%36%

Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.

How it ranks nearby

Reading · 2026

  1. P.S. 066 School of Higher Expectations61%

    Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away

  2. Samara Community School53%

    Economic need index: 85%0.4 mi away

  3. Fairmont Neighborhood School33%

    Economic need index: 94%0.6 mi away

  4. Archer Elementary School32%

    Economic need index: 91%0.8 mi away

  5. P.S. 21426%

    Economic need index: 93%0.6 mi away

  6. P.S. 196 (this school)25%

    Economic need index: 94%

  7. P.S. 047 John Randolph24%

    Economic need index: 92%0.6 mi away

  8. P.S. 006 West Farms23%

    Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away

  9. P.S. 19522%

    Economic need index: 92%0.01 mi away

Math · 2026

  1. P.S. 066 School of Higher Expectations79%

    Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away

  2. Samara Community School62%

    Economic need index: 85%0.4 mi away

  3. P.S. 19544%

    Economic need index: 92%0.01 mi away

  4. Archer Elementary School41%

    Economic need index: 91%0.8 mi away

  5. Fairmont Neighborhood School40%

    Economic need index: 94%0.6 mi away

  6. P.S. 196 (this school)36%

    Economic need index: 94%

  7. P.S. 21431%

    Economic need index: 93%0.6 mi away

  8. P.S. 006 West Farms29%

    Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away

  9. P.S. 047 John Randolph25%

    Economic need index: 92%0.6 mi away

P.S. 196 vs P.S. 195

MeasureP.S. 196P.S. 195
2026 reading proficient25% (-7 points vs 2025)22% (-6 points vs 2025)
2026 math proficient36% (+5 points vs 2025)44% (+10 points vs 2025)
Average K–5 class size (2025–26)21.620.6
Enrollment (2025–26)672671
Student–teacher ratio (2025–26)11.910.8
Family satisfaction (2026)93%94%
Principal trust (2026)92%96%
Teacher trust (2026)92%97%
Leadership (2026)89%97%
Distance between schools0.01 mi

P.S. 196 has lower math proficiency than P.S. 195 (36% vs 44%); 2026 math is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.

Student body

Enrollment

672 students

pre-K, K–5 · down 75 over five years

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Class size

21.6

children in the average K–5 class; about 11.9 students per teacher (2025–26)

NYC DOE · 2025–26

English learners

38%

was 37% in 2024–25

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Economic need

93% of students live in poverty (2025–26)

Economic need index: 94% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Special education

24%

of students here are in special education

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Student body: 1% White, 84% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 11% Black, 1% multiracial, 47% female, 53% male.

Economic need index: 94% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.

More from the family survey

Leadership
89%
Disability support services
82%
Outreach
93%
Facilities
90%
Parent involvement
93%

NYC DOE · 2026 survey

School zone

NYC DOE · 2024–25

Know before you tour

Admissions

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. Check the attendance zone shown above; zones can change and do not guarantee a seat.

Address

1260 Ward Ave, Bronx, NY 10472, USA

How to read this page

  • Test scores measure one week in April. They say nothing about the art room, recess or whether your child will be happy. Tour the school.
  • Averages hide gaps. In 2026, students in special education here scored 4% in reading (79 tested), compared with 25% schoolwide. If that's your family, ask how the school will support your child.

Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.

Quick Facts

What is this provider?

  • Subject: K–12 Schools
  • Location: East Bronx, Bronx
  • Address: 1260 Ward Ave, Bronx, NY 10472, USA