PS 138M @ IS 90

Elementary education in Washington Heights takes shape at PS 138M @ IS 90, a public school serving younger students in the neighborhood. The area’s mix of historic row houses and mid-century apartment buildings sets the stage—schools here often reflect the community’s diversity and long-standing roots. With Jumel Terrace’s quiet, tree-lined blocks just steps away, the location feels removed from the busier stretches of Broadway while still being part of the city’s rhythm.

At 21 Jumel Pl, the school sits near landmarks like the Morris-Jumel Mansion, New York’s oldest house, which occasionally draws field trips and local curiosity. Public elementary schools in this part of Manhattan often become anchors for families who’ve lived in the area for generations; the building’s institutional presence—shared with IS 90—hints at a space designed for both learning and growth. Unlike some newer schools downtown, this one carries the weight of a neighborhood that’s seen decades of change without losing its identity.

Questions about enrollment or programs? The front office can be reached at (212) 342-2500. For those mapping out the walk from the 163rd Street subway stop or the A train, the route’s a short uphill climb—best checked via directions here. Schools like this one don’t always make headlines, but they’re the kind of place that shapes a block, a family, a morning routine.