Staten Island public elementary schools demonstrated strong performance on the 2025 New York State English Language Arts (ELA) exam. New data shows five schools achieved proficiency rates above 80%, with one school nearing a perfect score. These results highlight consistent academic success in ELA across the borough.
Key Takeaways
- P.S. 35 led Staten Island with 96.5% ELA proficiency in 2025.
- Five elementary schools achieved over 83% proficiency.
- Student scores are graded on a 1-4 scale, with 3 and 4 indicating proficiency.
Top Schools Show High ELA Proficiency
The 2025 English Language Arts exam results for New York State's elementary students reveal a clear picture of academic achievement on Staten Island. City education department data shows that several public elementary schools in the borough achieved remarkably high proficiency rates. This indicates that a significant majority of students at these schools are meeting or exceeding state standards in English language arts.
Students take these state-mandated exams annually. The tests measure how well students are learning in core subjects. A score of 3 or 4 on the exam signifies that a student is proficient in the subject.
"These scores reflect the dedication of both students and educators. High proficiency rates are a testament to effective teaching strategies and strong curriculum implementation," a local education observer noted.
Key Statistic
The top five elementary schools on Staten Island had an average ELA proficiency rate of 91.66% in 2025.
P.S. 35 Leads the Pack
P.S. 35 The Clove Valley School emerged as the top performer on Staten Island for the 2025 ELA exam. Out of 171 students tested, an impressive 96.5% achieved proficiency. This places P.S. 35 at the forefront of elementary schools in the borough, showcasing exceptional student outcomes in English language arts.
Following closely was P.S. 9 Naples Street Elementary School. This institution recorded a proficiency rate of 95.8% among its 142 tested students. The consistent high performance of these schools suggests a robust educational environment and strong foundational learning in ELA.
Consistent High Performance Across Multiple Schools
The success was not limited to just two schools. P.S. 005 Huguenot also demonstrated strong results, with 93.8% of its 144 students reaching proficiency. This indicates a broader trend of high ELA achievement across a significant portion of Staten Island's public elementary school system.
About the ELA Exam
The New York State English Language Arts exam assesses students' reading comprehension, writing skills, and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. It is a critical benchmark for student progress and school performance.
These results provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of educational programs. They also highlight areas of strength within the local school system. The focus on foundational skills in early education appears to be yielding positive outcomes for students.
Detailed Breakdown of Top 5 Schools
The data from the city education department offers a clear ranking of the top elementary schools. This ranking is based on the percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or 4 on the 2025 English Language Arts exam. The results are compelling and show a competitive landscape among the borough's schools.
- P.S. 35 The Clove Valley School: 96.5% proficient (171 students tested)
- P.S. 9 Naples Street Elementary School: 95.8% proficient (142 students tested)
- P.S. 005 Huguenot: 93.8% proficient (144 students tested)
- P.S. 8 Shirlee Solomon: 89.2% proficient (223 students tested)
- P.S. 53 The Barbara Esselborn School: 83.0% proficient (352 students tested)
It is important to note the number of students tested at each school. P.S. 53, for example, tested a significantly larger cohort of 352 students, yet still maintained a high proficiency rate. This shows strong performance even with a larger student body.
Student Performance Levels
Students are graded on a 1-4 scale. A score of 1 means the student needs substantial support. A score of 2 means the student needs some support. Scores of 3 and 4 indicate proficiency.
Impact on Student Learning and School Programs
High proficiency rates on state exams often correlate with effective teaching practices and strong academic support systems. Schools achieving these results are likely implementing successful literacy programs and providing targeted interventions for students who need extra help.
The data from 2025 serves as a benchmark for future performance. It allows schools to identify successful strategies and share best practices across the district. This collaborative approach can help improve ELA outcomes for all students on Staten Island.
Parents can also use this information to understand school performance. It provides transparency regarding academic standards. The consistent efforts by educators contribute significantly to these positive results.
These accomplishments underscore the dedication within Staten Island's educational community. Teachers, administrators, and support staff all play a vital role. Their collective efforts lead to strong academic foundations for young learners.
