The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Social studies. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ps 62 Inocensio Casanova
PS 62 Inocensio Casanova is a public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in a dense residential neighborhood on the western side of the South Bronx. The school enrolls a small-to-mid-sized population of about four hundred forty students, with the largest grade bands in the upper elementary years. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and very few students of other backgrounds. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a low-income community.
The school operates within New York City Geographic District 8, which has experienced sustained enrollment decline since the late 2010s as both the number of school-aged residents in the zone fell and families chose charter alternatives. This context shapes what resources and attention the district has available. District 8 recently adopted the citywide NYC Reads literacy mandate, requiring all elementary schools to use one of three approved science-of-reading curriculums starting in fall 2024, so the school's reading instruction now follows a standardized approach rather than a principal-selected program.
State assessment data from spring 2025 shows mixed results. Third and fourth graders performed in the middle range on math and reading, with solid shares meeting state proficiency standards. Fifth-grade performance drops noticeably, particularly in science, where only a small fraction of students demonstrated proficiency. In reading, fifth graders also showed lower proficiency than their fourth-grade peers. This pattern suggests a meaningful learning gap that widens in the upper grades, something a parent may want to look into further with the school to understand whether it reflects curriculum pacing, student retention of prior skills, or other factors. Test participation rates are generally strong, suggesting the data is broadly reliable.
When compared against other district schools in Bronx County, PS 62's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile, a genuine strength. The school is outperforming the median district school in the borough on combined proficiency measures across tested subjects and grades, despite the significant economic challenges its students face.
The immediate neighborhood is part of the South Bronx's rapid housing and development growth phase. Housing values have been rising, and major transit-oriented affordable housing projects are either complete or under way in the surrounding areas, bringing new families and investment. The neighborhood is walkable, with commercial corridors and bus routes providing access to goods and services without a car. Large parks including Van Cortlandt and Bronx Park are accessible by transit, and the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden sit within reach.
The school is a traditional public elementary school with no special designation or alternative mission. It offers the standard elementary curriculum without specialized career or magnet programs, which is appropriate to its grade band. Data on English learner enrollment, special education identification rates, and staffing were not available, leaving some gaps in the full picture of how the school serves its population.
For a family considering PS 62, the school offers solid proficiency outcomes relative to comparable schools in the county and serves a diverse, economically disadvantaged neighborhood with strong community services and transit. The widening performance gap in upper grades merits direct conversation with school leadership about instructional approach and student support, particularly as children approach middle school transition.
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