P.S. 157 Grove Hill
Grades PK-5 · 757 CAULDWELL AVENUE · Bronx
RAMONA DURAN, Principal · 718-292-5255
schools.nyc.govAbout
P.S. 157 Grove Hill, located on a small hill in Mott Haven, serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade in the Bronx. The school is known for fostering a respectful and trusting environment, with leaders actively greeting students daily, and has received awards for its "Respect for All" campaign. Parents express exceptionally high satisfaction, with recent surveys showing 98-100% positive feedback on various aspects of the school experience. The school maintains small average class sizes, contributing to a personalized learning atmosphere, and boasts a zero suspension rate. Academically, the school's ELA proficiency is slightly below the citywide median, and math proficiency is at the 25th percentile, suggesting areas for growth compared to other elementary schools. A notable strength is its rich arts programming, including chorus, visual art, a public speaking program for older students, and a partnership with the New York City Ballet for third graders. Students also engage in hands-on learning through a courtyard garden and various field trips. The school has a higher-than-average percentage of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The building is partially accessible, with some limitations regarding accessible bathrooms and classrooms.
Sources (7)
Academics
Coursework, class size, and academic context.
Attendance rate
96%
Avg class size (general ed)
19.36
Avg class size (ICT)
19.5
Average class size by classroom setting: general education vs. ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching, where general- and special-education students learn together with two teachers). NYC DOE Class Size Report, 2021–22.
Community & climate
Demographics, attendance, school survey results, and DOE quality ratings.
Quality signals
Parent survey · overall positive
92%100% response rate
Teacher survey · overall positive
85%98% response rate
Survey topics
Safety76%city 90%
- My students are safe…outside around this school.40%
- My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.46%
- My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.92%
- My students are safe…in my class(es).94%
- Behavioral supports are applied equitably to children in my program.100%
- Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Bullying prevention40%city 42%
- At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.40%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (40%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.
Emotional support79%city 84%
- How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.84%
- How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.87%
- How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.79%
- How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.66%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (79%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Academic expectations80%city 87%
- In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including English language learners (ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.90%
- How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.69%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
College & career guidance91%city 90%
- It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with guidance on the high school application process.92%
- It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide families with guidance on the high school application process.90%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Family outreach95%city 94%
- At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.98%
- At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.95%
- At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.90%
- At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.93%
- School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.95%
- Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.94%
- My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.99%
- I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.98%
- My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Parent–teacher trust97%city 95%
- I feel respected by my child's teachers.96%
- Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.96%
- My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.98%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Show all survey topicsShow fewer
Rigorous Instruction
Strong Core Instruction91%city 92%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [ELA].100%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [ELA].96%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [ELA].86%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [ELA].91%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [ELA].91%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [Math].86%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Math].81%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Math].95%
- In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [Math].95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Quality of Student Discussion67%city 67%
- How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.64%
- How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.60%
- How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.76%
- How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.55%
- How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (67%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.
Collaborative Teachers
School Commitment91%city 83%
- I usually look forward to each working day at this school.90%
- I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.90%
- I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.92%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction90%city 92%
- I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.88%
- I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.93%
- I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.93%
- I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.89%
- I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.93%
- I am able to...design appropriate instruction that is matched to students' need (e.g. English language learners (ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).93%
- I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.93%
- I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.90%
- I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.92%
- I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.93%
- I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.73%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Peer Collaboration88%city 87%
- At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.90%
- At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.88%
- At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.86%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
Innovation and Collective Responsibility84%city 79%
- How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.83%
- How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.88%
- How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.81%
- How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.76%
- How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.90%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.
Quality of Professional Development81%city 82%
- Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.86%
- Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...Included opportunities to engage in inquiry-based, professional collaboration with peers and/or mentors from other schools.81%
- Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.76%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.
Supportive Environment
Classroom Behavior73%city 66%
- How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.64%
- How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.86%
- How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.60%
- How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (73%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Effective School Leadership
Inclusive Leadership95%city 95%
- The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.95%
- The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.96%
- The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Instructional Leadership86%city 86%
- The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.93%
- The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.88%
- The principal/school leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.95%
- The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.81%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.88%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.93%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.81%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.93%
- How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?.65%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Program Coherence86%city 83%
- At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.86%
- At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.86%
- At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.86%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Teacher Influence65%city 66%
- At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.83%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.40%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.50%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.71%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (65%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Strong Family-Community Ties
Building Families' Capacity as their Child's Primary Teacher100%city 97%
- My child’s teachers give me helpful ideas about how I can support my child’s learning and development. [Birth-5].100%
- My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].100%
- At this program, teachers let families know that they can make a difference in their child's learning and development.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 97% citywide.
Two-Way Communication100%city 99%
- At this program, teachers incorporate feedback from families into supporting children in the program.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 99% citywide.
Strong Relationships98%city 95%
- At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].95%
- At the beginning of the school year, teachers support children in adjusting to this program.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Parent Involvement in School76%city 71%
- Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.95%
- Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.96%
- My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].100%
- I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.14%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 71% citywide.
Trust
Parent-Principal Trust97%city 94%
- I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.98%
- I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).96%
- The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Teacher-Teacher Trust90%city 86%
- Teachers in this school trust each other.88%
- It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.90%
- I feel respected by other teachers at this school.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Teacher-Principal Trust90%city 84%
- I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.93%
- The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.90%
- The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.93%
- I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).88%
- The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.93%
- The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.88%
- The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.82%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2023-2024). Survey topics are the DOE’s framework measures (each the average favorable response across its questions; expand a topic to see them and the citywide average); the dimension scores themselves are no longer in the public data file.[3]
Operational health
Attendance
96%
Chronic absenteeism
34%
Suspension rate
0%
Teachers[7]
Teachers with 4+ years' experience
90%
Students per teacher
10:1
Teaching out of certification
0%
Teacher experience and certification from the NYSED School Report Card (2024–25); students per teacher = enrollment ÷ reported teachers. Fewer than 4 years counts as inexperienced.
Student body
Race / ethnicity[4]
- Black 17%
- Hispanic 67%
School-level totals; may not sum to 100% due to rounding and small subgroup suppression.
Gender[4]
- Female 48%
- Male 52%
Female / male shares as published by the DOE; other gender identities aren’t reported in the source data.
Enrollment
321
Economic Need Index
—
Free / reduced lunch
98%
English learners
13%
Students with IEPs
34%
Admissions
2 programs. Each has its own admissions method, and each track within a program has its own seats, demand, and priority order.
3-K - School Day
Program code 07X1573K · Cycle 2024-2025
20 applicants · 15 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.
| priority group | Seats | Applicants | Apps / seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| General education | 15 | 20 | — |
↳ Students who live in the Southern/Northern portion of District 7 and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other District 7 students who have a sibling at the school. | 10 | 10 | 1.00 |
↳ Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in the Southern/Northern portion of District 7. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in District 7. | 5 | 5 | 1.00 |
↳ All other applicants. | — | — | — |
Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).
Pre-K - School Day
Program code 07X157PK · Cycle 2024-2025
36 applicants · 36 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.
| priority group | Seats | Applicants | Apps / seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| General education | 36 | 36 | — |
↳ Current students. | 20 | 20 | 1.00 |
↳ Students who live in the Southern/Northern portion of District 7 and have a sibling at the school. | 5 | 5 | 1.00 |
↳ Other District 7 students who have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in the Southern/Northern portion of District 7. | 10 | 10 | 1.00 |
↳ Other students who live in District 7. | — | — | — |
↳ All other applicants. | — | — | — |
Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).
How to read Apps / seat and where the outlook buckets come from is explained in our methodology.
Location & commute
Where the school is and how to get there.