P.S. 16 is our zone school. One of the considerations in mind when we decided to purchase where to live was that. As it turns out, my daughter is in P.S. 3 because P.S. 16 had no pre-K 3 and we applied to put her in dual language. The two schools are just about the same distance from our home (P.S. 16 is closer by a block or two).

The school has had a long time reputation as being one of the better public schools in the city. This is in part due to it's zoning location, since it draws from the poshest areas of downtown. But in addition, when the number of families in the zone dropped in the past, the principal encouraged families from other parts of the city to enroll as part of the intra-district transfer program. Generally such families, regardless of where they come from, are the ones who are more active in their kids lives.

Until recently, the school went through the 8th grade, which also meant it was a relatively small school and the kids were kept out of the larger "factory" middle schools like M.S. 4. However, a few years ago Epps turned it to K-5, citing capacity (although some said this was as an "f u" to the neighborhood groups who demanded that the school remove the mobile trailer classrooms in the area that is supposed to be a public park).

The scores this year for 3rd grade were pretty good, on par with some of the better charters. Over the years they have varied.

I know one couple in my building that just put their daughter in the school for kindergarten. They think it is ok but not great. They will be putting their younger son in next year as it stands.

Overall, let's just say you could do a lot worse. But a lot depends on which teacher you get, etc (it always does, I suppose).

I don't have kids there, but I used to live next door. Kids looked like they were all driven to the school, very few looked like they lived in walking distance...

Also I wouldn't like having to send my kid to a school where recess is in the middle of the street.

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That's an interesting perspective, thank you.
Anyone here have kids in the school who talk about their experiences?

My rule of thumb has been to check the demographics and socio-ecomomic standing of the neighborhood of a school where they pool their students from.
As a 'user-pays' capitalist society, this will shed some light on the quality of teachers working there - No teacher wants to work (unless they have too) in a questionable neighborhood.

I've been there to vote... it's a pretty depressing environment. Yes, I know this doesn't answer the question.

2012 results for grades 3 and 4 can be found in spreadsheets here.

http://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/es/results/

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That is a lot of great data, thank you so much for that.

Here's the school's report card with all the data you want and then some. If you're enrolling for this fall it's already too late for the lottery for Learning Community Charter. I Also seem to recall Bradford being overfull and kids being sent to #3 on Bright despite being in their catchment. Don't know if that is still the case or if they've revised the zones.

http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc11/ ... ort.php?c=17&d=2390&s=340

Yes, indeed two of my neighbors are sending their children there.
Cornelia F. Bradford No. 16 Elementary School

Does anyone know much about PS 16? How are the teachers/students? How big are the classes? What do people love/hate about it?

Our son will be entering school soon and I think we are zoned for PS 16. Any info would help. I am always surprised how difficult it is to find info on public schools.