The Salk School of Science is a renowned junior high school in Gramercy, Manhattan, New York City and is a highly rigorous and competitive school. For the class of 2023, the admissions rate was just above 4%.
Serving 369 students in grades 6-8, Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science ranks in the top 10% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 89% (which is higher than the New York state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 91% (which is higher than the New York state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Asian), which is lower than the New York state average of 60% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 369 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 54%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10% in NY
- Math Proficiency: 89% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 91% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 90-94% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science's student population of 369 students has declined by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 26 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(Supplemental virtual)
(Supplemental virtual)
Total Students
369 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
26 teachers
Year Founded
1995
Colors
Purple, Gold
School Rankings
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science ranks within the top 10% of all 4,377 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science is 0.68, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#308 out of 4377 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)89%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
91%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
78%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
31%
10%
Hispanic
11%
30%
Black
2%
16%
White
46%
40%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
9%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
21%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science's ranking?
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science is ranked #308 out of 4,377 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in New York.
What schools are Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science often compared to?
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Scienceis often viewed alongside schools like Nyc Lab Middle School For Collaborative Studies, Clinton School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
89% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% NY state average), while 91% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
How many students attend Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science?
369 students attend Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
46% of Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science students are White, 31% of students are Asian, 11% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science?
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science offer ?
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (Supplemental virtual).
What school district is Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science part of?
Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science is part of New York City Geographic District # 2 School District.
School Reviews
Review Middle School 255 Salk School Of Science. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
The Debate Over Mandatory AP Exams: Balancing Academic Rigor and Student Well-being
Some public schools are forcing students in AP courses to take the AP exam. Here's a look at both sides of the debate and the potential benefits in store for both students and high schools.
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
