At a glance
Reported students
464
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
48.75
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
9.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
New York elementary enrollment
61st percentile
Compared with 2,546 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
469
Community School #53: 464 reported students.
State peer staffing position
16th percentile
9.5:1 reported; state peer median 11.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 483
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55.31
- Student–teacher ratio
- 8.7:1
What the reported data says about Community School #53
Community School #53 is a public elementary school serving grades PK–08 in Buffalo. It is one of 62 current school records connected to Buffalo City School District. NCES reports 464 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,546 elementary schools in New York with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 61st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 9.5:1, below the New York median of 11.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (65.7%) and Asian (14.4%). English learners represent 8.5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 26.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Community School #53
- 1How do the reported 9.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 48.75 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 8.5%
- Students with disabilities
- 26.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 97.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White5.8%
- Hispanic10.1%
- Black65.7%
- Asian14.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Buffalo City School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Dr a Pantoja Comm Sch Excllnce -#18
Elementary · Grades PK–08
475 reported students
PS 27 Hillery Park Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
481 reported students
PS 69 Houghton Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
444 reported students
Harvey Austin School #97
Elementary · Grades PK–08
487 reported students
North Park Community School #50
Elementary · Grades PK–07
437 reported students
Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
514 reported students
Public schools near Community School #53
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS 74 Hamlin Park - Claude and Ouida Clapp Academy Elementary · Buffalo City School District | PK–08 | 396 | 0.4 mi |
| Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center Elementary · Buffalo City School District | PK–04 | 566 | 0.6 mi |
| Brick Buffalo Academy Charter School Elementary · Charter · Brick Buffalo Academy Charter School | KG–03 | 72 | 0.8 mi |
| PS 17 Elementary · Buffalo City School District | PK–04 | 284 | 0.8 mi |
| Martin Luther King Jr #48 Elementary · Buffalo City School District | PK–08 | 413 | 0.9 mi |
| PS 90 Elementary · Buffalo City School District | PK–02 | 179 | 0.9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Community School #53
What grades does Community School #53 serve?
Community School #53 reports grades PK–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Buffalo City School District.
How many students attend Community School #53?
Community School #53 reported 464 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 61st percentile among 2,546 New York elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 483 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Community School #53?
The calculated ratio is 9.5:1, based on 464 students and 48.75 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The New York median for the same school level is 11.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Community School #53 a public, charter, or magnet school?
Community School #53 is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Buffalo City School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Community School #53 students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
97.4% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Community School #53 in?
Community School #53 is part of Buffalo City School District, based in Buffalo, NY, which operates 62 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Community School #53?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include PS 74 Hamlin Park - Claude and Ouida Clapp Academy (0.4 mi), Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center (0.6 mi), Brick Buffalo Academy Charter School (0.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.