Ella Baker School

The Ella Baker School, a Pre-K-8 public school on Manhattan's Upper East Side, is located within the Julia Richman Complex. It is a non-catchment area school, welcoming students from all five boroughs and serving a culturally diverse population. The school is known for its commitment to learning through play and discovery, with a pedagogical approach that emphasizes active experience, individual interests, and self-discovery. Parents often describe a loving, caring environment with inspiring teachers who make learning engaging and fun. Academically, the school demonstrates strong performance, with ELA proficiency at the 75th percentile citywide and math proficiency above the citywide median. It has been recognized for outperforming district and state averages on state assessments. The school also boasts a strong record of high school placement, with 98% of students getting into their top three choices. Students benefit from shared facilities within the Julia Richman Education Complex, including gyms, a pool, auditoriums, and a ballet studio, and dedicated art instruction is a key feature. While most students report feeling safe, the school's "Safety and School Climate" rating is "Fair," with some student survey responses indicating areas for improvement regarding conflicts and bullying.