PS 234 INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL

476 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

PS 234, officially known as the Independence School, is a highly regarded public elementary school located in the heart of Tribeca, Manhattan. Serving students from Pre-K through 5th grade, the school is well-known for its progressive educational philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning and critical thinking. It is deeply integrated into the local community, utilizing the neighborhood’s resources to provide students with a rich, experiential curriculum that encourages independence, collaboration, and social responsibility.

Academically, PS 234 is consistently recognized for its strong performance and vibrant school culture. The school prioritizes a well-rounded education, balancing rigorous core subjects with robust programs in the arts, music, and physical education. Its inclusive environment and active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) foster a tight-knit community feel, making it one of the most sought-after elementary schools in Lower Manhattan. Because of its excellent reputation and the high demand for seats in the Tribeca area, it remains a focal point for families in the District 2 school system.

476

Total Students

37.7

Full-Time Teachers

12.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

5.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for PS 234 INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL
Demographic	Student Count
White	320
Hispanic	54
Black	9
Asian	41
Two or More	49
American Indian	1
Pacific Islander	2

White
320 (67.2 %)
Hispanic
54 (11.3 %)
Two or More
49 (10.3 %)
Asian
41 (8.6 %)
Black
9 (1.9 %)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.4 %)
American Indian
1 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
Phone:	(212)233-6034
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	476
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	37.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	25
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 86

Grade 1 98

Grade 2 67

Grade 3 82

Grade 4 76

Grade 5 65

Ungraded 2