The Alfred E. Smith School, or PS 163, enrolls approximately 550 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1, the school divides its academic programs into four categories: special education, general education, gifted education and a dual language program.
The curriculum at PS 163 revolves around literacy, math, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through daily instruction in core subjects, as well as art, music and technology. Special education is conducted in classrooms with co-teaching services, so students are integrated into the school population with the help of a learning specialist paired with a general education teacher. The dual language program is designed to put students on track to be fluent in both Spanish and English. The gifted and talented track at PS 163 is being phased out in kindergarten but continues in subsequent grades.
The school offers physical education via the E3 Sports program, which mostly involves team-based activities that encourage children to "Educate, Exercise and Evolve." PS 163 also offers students a comprehensive program called NYChessKids, which conducts in-class as well as after-school chess instruction with lessons, games, puzzles and online resources for at-home learning. Plus, the National Dance Institute brings its intensive arts immersion programs to PS 163 for third through fifth graders, and provides classes that culminates in a popular and well-attended performance at the end of the year.
The school’s namesake is the American politician Al Smith, a four-term governor of New York state and one-time presidential candidate. The PS 163 building does not share its facilities with any other schools, and the students at the Alfred E. Smith school enjoy unfettered access to the nearby Happy Warrior Playground for their daily recess.
P.S. 163 - Alfred E. Smith
Public Pre-K, Elementary School
|
Grade Pre-K-5
163 W 97th St,
New York, NY
New York City Geographic District No. 3
School Details
Head of School
Principal - Mr. Donny Lopez
Student Teacher Ratio
10:1
Math Proficiency
62%
Reading Proficiency
62%
Niche Grade
A-
A+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Reading Proficiency
62%
Math Proficiency
62%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers
39
Full Time Teachers
39
Teachers in First or Second Year
4.4%
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Science
21%
State Average
20%
Math
22%
State Average
22%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
488:1
Student Diversity
Female
50.6%
Male
49.4%
Hispanic
54.5%
White
20.3%
Black
13.4%
Asian or Pacific Islander
6.8%
Two or more races
4.9%
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Specialty School Programs
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
10/21/2016
I attend p.s163 all throughout elementary and before me my brother and before him my sister. The school is an excellent school in an excellent community. The teachers all genuinely care about the success of their students and work hard to make sure they are successful in whatever it is they choose to do. Before starting at p.s163 I was a fairly shy student but after third grade I become more involved and more outspoken. All of my peers were supportive, friendly very active in the community.
GreatSchools Reviews
8/21/2024
The Dual Language Program is experiencing some very difficult times. In each class 1/3- 1/2 of the students are new migrants. Although most of them have been here over a year now, most still can't say more than simple sentences in English. In my two children's classes last year, there was heavy favo...
3/31/2024
This is wonderful school. Well-known for its dual language program in Spanish.
6/13/2020
Teacher and administration was slow to respond or non-responsive to bullying and inappropriate behavior. Communication between departments was not good, and we were disappointed with our experience at this school.
3/3/2019
Great School! The entire staff is helpful
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Map
Attendance Zone
About Manhattan Valley
List Price Range
$435K - $6.6M
Homes For Sale
68
Average Home Value
$1,090,974
Median Lot Size
1,742 Sq Ft
% Renters
81%
Household Income
$116,851
% of College Grads
59.2%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
2,706 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
91.6%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
$4,900 per month
- Condo for Rent
- 1 Bed
- 1 Bath
- 681 Sq Ft
- 792 Columbus Ave
- Unit FL15-ID1322
- New York, NY
-
-
$7,740 per month
- Condo for Rent
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,115 Sq Ft
- 750 Columbus Ave
- Unit FL4-ID577
- New York, NY
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 6th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 12th
- Public
Parks in this Area
West 104th Street Garden
Frederick Douglass Playground
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Central Park 4 Mile Loop
Straus Park
- Trails
Booker T Washington Playground
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Soccer
Central Park
Julia Gabriel People's Garden
- Trails
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Carnegie Hill
Quiet streets, Central Park adjacent and old-school local businesses