Serving 303 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-34% (which is lower than the New York state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30-34% (which is lower than the New York state average of 49%).
The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the New York state average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 303 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in NY
- Math Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 40-49% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: PS 161 Ponce de Leon serves an attendance zone of approximately 2.6 square miles in the Bronx, NY, with most students living within a 1-mile radius and a typical drive to the school taking about 5 to 10 minutes. The furthest edge of the zone is located 1.8 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
School Overview
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School's student population of 303 students has declined by 20% over five school years.
The teacher population of 25 teachers has declined by 13% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
303 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
School Rankings
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 4,346 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is 0.35, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3493 out of 4346 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
52%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
49%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
78%
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
10%
Hispanic
78%
31%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Black
20%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
White
1%
39%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)57.1%
34.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
93%
55%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
3%
Showing 2015–2024. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School's ranking?
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is ranked #3493 out of 4,346 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New York.
What schools are P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School often compared to?
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Girls Preparatory Charter School Of The Bronx, P.s. 130 Abram Stevens Hewitt by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30-34% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% NY state average), while 30-34% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
How many students attend P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School?
303 students attend P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
78% of P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School students are Hispanic, 20% of students are Black, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School?
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School has a student ration of 12:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School offer ?
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School part of?
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is part of New York City Geographic District # 7.
In what neighborhood is P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School located?
P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School is located in the Woodstock neighborhood of Bronx, NY. There are 22 other public schools located in Woodstock.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
This school was the greatest school ever. If I had a chance too go back and do it all over again I would so do it all over again. Graduating class of 1993
5 10/10/2025
This school gave me some of the best memories and I remember learning so much here. The teacher's really cared about the student's, and made us feel like we can be anything.
Review P.s. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School. 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
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
