Lucero Elementary School
Grades K-5 · 1425 WALTON AVENUE · Bronx
Kattia Cuba, Principal · 718-681-8701
lucero311.orgAbout
Lucero Elementary School, a K-5 institution in the Bronx, serves a student body with a high proportion of English Language Learners (54%, well above the citywide 75th percentile) and economically disadvantaged students (95% ENI, at the citywide maximum). While state test proficiency rates in ELA (24%) and Math (22%) are below the citywide 25th percentile, the school is highly regarded by parents for its supportive and welcoming environment. It is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, fostering inquiry-based learning and global awareness from kindergarten. Parents consistently praise the caring principal and dedicated teachers, highlighting strong communication and a positive school climate. The school also offers a Spanish Dual Language program. Class sizes are notably small, averaging 18.12 students, which can contribute to a personalized learning experience. The school emphasizes health and wellness, including cooking, gardening, and mindfulness classes.
Academics
State test proficiency rates and acceleration.
ELA proficiency
24%
Math proficiency
22%
Proficiency rates are from the Grade 3–8 NYS state test (school-level).
Attendance rate
97%
Avg class size (general ed)
18.12
Avg class size (ICT)
18
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
91%100% response rate
Teacher survey · overall positive
93%86% response rate
Survey topics
Safety88%city 89%
- My students are safe…outside around this school.76%
- My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.80%
- My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.96%
- My students are safe…in my class(es).96%
- Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.92%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.
Bullying prevention32%city 42%
- At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.32%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (32%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.
Emotional support91%city 84%
- How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.92%
- How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.96%
- How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.88%
- How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.87%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Academic expectations92%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.96%
- How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.88%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (92%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
College & career guidance100%city 90%
- It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with guidance on the high school application process.100%
- It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide families with guidance on the high school application process.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Family outreach97%city 94%
- At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.96%
- At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.100%
- At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.96%
- At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.100%
- 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.95%
- My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.97%
- I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.95%
- My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.97%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Parent–teacher trust96%city 95%
- I feel respected by my child's teachers.94%
- 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 (96%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Show all survey topicsShow fewer
Rigorous Instruction
Strong Core Instruction98%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].100%
- 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].100%
- 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].93%
- 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].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. [Math].100%
- 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].93%
- 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].93%
- 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].100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Quality of Student Discussion76%city 67%
- How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.76%
- How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.64%
- How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.88%
- How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.72%
- How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.80%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.
Collaborative Teachers
School Commitment97%city 83%
- I usually look forward to each working day at this school.96%
- I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.100%
- I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction97%city 92%
- I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.100%
- I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.100%
- I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.100%
- I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.95%
- I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.100%
- 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).96%
- I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.96%
- I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.96%
- I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.96%
- I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.100%
- I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.83%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Peer Collaboration96%city 87%
- At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.100%
- At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.100%
- At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.88%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
Innovation and Collective Responsibility95%city 79%
- How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.96%
- How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.96%
- How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.92%
- How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.96%
- How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.
Quality of Professional Development91%city 82%
- Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.92%
- 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.84%
- Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.
Supportive Environment
Classroom Behavior70%city 66%
- How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.76%
- How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.76%
- How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.62%
- How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.67%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (70%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Effective School Leadership
Program Coherence97%city 83%
- At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.96%
- At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.100%
- At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Inclusive Leadership97%city 95%
- The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.97%
- The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.97%
- The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Instructional Leadership96%city 86%
- The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.96%
- The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.96%
- The principal/school leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.96%
- The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.92%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.100%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.100%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.96%
- The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.100%
- How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?.84%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Teacher Influence93%city 66%
- At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.100%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.92%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.88%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.84%
- How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Strong Family-Community Ties
Strong Relationships98%city 90%
- At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].98%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Parent Involvement in School65%city 63%
- Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.92%
- Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.93%
- I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.9%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (65%) is their average, vs 63% citywide.
Trust
Teacher-Principal Trust99%city 84%
- I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.100%
- The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.100%
- The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.100%
- I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).100%
- The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.96%
- The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.100%
- The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Parent-Principal Trust98%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).97%
- The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.98%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Teacher-Teacher Trust96%city 86%
- Teachers in this school trust each other.96%
- It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.96%
- I feel respected by other teachers at this school.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 86% 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
97%
Chronic absenteeism
38%
Suspension rate
0%
Teachers[7]
Teachers with 4+ years' experience
64%
Students per teacher
12:1
Teaching out of certification
20%
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 10%
- Hispanic 89%
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
294
Economic Need Index
95%
Free / reduced lunch
97%
English learners
54%
Students with IEPs
26%
Admissions
2 programs. Each has its own admissions method, and each track within a program has its own seats, demand, and priority order.
Kindergarten (09X311)
Program code 09X311KG · Cycle 2024-2025
14 applicants · 25 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.
| priority group | Seats | Applicants | Apps / seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| General education | 25 | 14 | — |
↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in the zone. | 5 | 5 | 1.00 |
↳ Students who live in the district and 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 district. | 5 | 5 | 1.00 |
↳ Other students who live outside the district. | — | — | — |
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”).
Kindergarten Spanish Dual Language (09X311)
Program code 09X311SP · Cycle 2024-2025
2 applicants · 25 seats last year.
| priority group | Seats | Applicants | Apps / seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| General education | 25 | 2 | — |
↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in the zone. | — | — | — |
↳ Students who live in the district and 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 district. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live outside the district. | — | — | — |
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.