The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Math. The lowest is 40% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ps 115 Alexander Humboldt
PS 115 Alexander Humboldt is a small, neighborhood elementary school in Upper Manhattan that serves children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school sits on West 177th Street, in a densely populated part of the city where mixed-use development and a substantial student population have shaped its identity.
The enrollment is small, drawn almost entirely from the immediate neighborhood. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly Hispanic, with small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The school serves as a neighborhood anchor in a dense, walkable setting where families live in close proximity and access schools on foot, as is typical throughout New York City.
On state assessments, PS 115's performance across math, English language arts, and science falls in the lower half compared to other schools in New York County. In math, proficiency rates range across the tested grades, with somewhat stronger results in fourth grade than in third and fifth grade. In English language arts, proficiency is notably lower, particularly in fourth grade. Science proficiency, measured only in fifth grade, is in a similar range. The school's overall proficiency index places it below the county midpoint among schools. State testing data for social studies is not current, reflecting changes in New York's assessment system. A parent may want to ask the school directly about how these results have shaped recent instructional priorities and what support structures are in place for students working toward proficiency.
The district, New York City Geographic District 6, has undergone significant changes in recent years. A sweeping shift in reading instruction began with NYC Reads, a mandated curriculum overhaul that requires all elementary schools to use one of three phonics-based reading programs with explicit daily phonics instruction, replacing the balanced-literacy approaches many schools had used. This change affects every child learning to read in the district. District 6 has also experienced enrollment declines driven by fewer resident families and rising charter-school enrollment, leading to school consolidations and re-sitings in recent years. At the same time, the district added a new middle-school pathway by converting one school from K-5 to K-8, creating a progressive option for families who wish to keep their children in the same school community through eighth grade.
The neighborhood and city context matter for how a family experiences school. New York City's dense, walkable character means PS 115 is woven into the block fabric rather than sited on a separate campus. The transit system, parks, libraries, and mixed-use streetscape are part of daily life. Housing values and rents in the school's zip code have risen, with the area seeing continued residential development as part of the city's broader housing growth. The city's economy is anchored by finance, technology, and professional services, though families in PS 115's neighborhood often work across multiple sectors.
For families considering this school, the key is understanding the academic profile alongside the neighborhood fit. The school is small and deeply rooted in its immediate community. State assessment results suggest students face academic challenges, and a parent would want to understand what reading curriculum the school uses, how it aligns with NYC Reads requirements, what supplemental supports are available for students below proficiency, and what the school's trajectory looks like. The demographic composition is homogeneous and reflective of the surrounding neighborhood. These are characteristics to weigh against your family's needs and what you are looking for in an elementary school experience.
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