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P.S. 291

Grades: K-5
2195 Andrews Avenue
Bronx NY 10453
Phone: 718-563-0776

Our Insights

What’s Special

Well-run school with a happy tone; Dancing Classrooms

The Downside

Some students miss at least a month of school

PS 291 is a well-run elementary school with experienced teachers who overwhelmingly recommend the school to new families, according to NYC School Surveys. It is located in a bright, modern building shared with PS/MS 15 in University Heights. 

The visual and performing arts have played an important part in the school community for years. The primary partnerships are with Dancing Classrooms and DreamYard Project (theater and visual arts), according to the Arts in Schools Report.

The Quality Review gives the school high marks for its positive tone, however, instruction is an area of growth; state test scores in reading and math have been declining since 2017.

To improve, teachers use small group instruction, grouping children in class, and making use of small round tables in the hallway, so students can discuss topics in greater depth. Children rotate to various “stations” to complete a variety of tasks either with a partner, with a few peers, or independently. 

This gives children more opportunities to talk in class, an asset for kids learning to speak English. Almost one third of the students are English language learners. These students are served in bilingual classes and in general education with extra support. They use tablets with software to practice vocabulary, in addition to tools such as magnetic letters, alphabet charts, dry erase markers, whiteboards and activity sheets, the Report says. 

Each classroom is equipped with whiteboards, computers and tablets. In math classes, students use an online math program to work on lessons at their own pace. Students use laptops in addition to hands-on experiments to do research projects in science. 

Older students create a plan for a business of their choice, such as a pizzeria or a taco truck. They create surveys and collect data, design a logo and business cards, write up a plan and determine a marketing strategy using music, video or other arts mediums, according to the Quality Review Report. 

The school faces challenges; the numbers of students with disabilities has risen since 2010. About 100 students live in temporary housing. The school has low attendance compared to the citywide average: more than one-third of the students miss at least a month of school. Teachers work to stay in touch with parents and caregivers and celebrate good attendance.

ADMISSIONS: Zoned neighborhood school. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, April 2020) 

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
100%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
97%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
20.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
45%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
42%
50% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
416
Asian
0%
Black
6%
Hispanic
91%
White
1%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
100%
Students with disabilities
23%
English language learners
28%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
89%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
47%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

This school offers Transitional Bilingual Education in Spanish.

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
22%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
12%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
24%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
9%
12% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

University Heights (District 10)
Trains: B Line, D Line to 182nd-183rd Sts; 4 Line to 183rd St
Buses: Bx12, Bx12-SBS, Bx2, Bx3, Bx32, Bx36, Bx40, Bx42, BxM3

Contact

Principal
Carlos Velez
Parent Coordinator
Adalgisa Rodriguez

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares a building with PS/MS 15
Metal detectors?
No

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

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