A Mission You Can Stand Behind
A rigorous, caring education rooted in the proud heritage of East Harlem — with high expectations for every child and real support to meet them.
Staff
Why Work at P.S. 83?
A high-performing, deeply caring elementary school serving East Harlem students from 3K through Grade 5 in a fully accessible, community-centered building.
A Mission You Can Stand Behind
P.S. 83 is committed to providing a rigorous, caring education rooted in the proud heritage of East Harlem, with high expectations for every child and real support to meet them. The school focuses on academic excellence, personal growth, and preparing students to thrive in a diverse and changing world.
Teachers work within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavioral supports, and a culturally responsive approach so instruction is both rigorous and inclusive. The school’s vision emphasizes equitable, high-quality learning in every classroom, every day, for every student.
Read more about our vision and mission and our principal's message.
Reasons educators choose P.S. 83
A workplace where high expectations and deep care go hand in hand.
High Student Achievement
One of East Harlem’s highest-achieving elementary schools, ranked in the top 16% of all New York State elementary schools.
Respect and Collaboration
Climate data shows a strong culture of mutual respect and trust, where staff, families, and students work in close partnership.
Fully Accessible Building
Recognized by the NYC Department of Education as a Fully Accessible School — a welcoming workplace for staff and families with diverse physical needs.
Whole-Child Supports
An on-site Mount Sinai School-Based Health Clinic, social-emotional learning, MTSS, City Year, and a range of enrichment opportunities.
Early Childhood Focus
Serving 3K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–5 — educators specialize in early childhood and elementary education and watch students grow over multiple years.
A culture of respect and collaboration
The school's climate data shows a strong culture of mutual respect and trust, according to the NYC School Survey.
96%
Families feel respected
of families say they feel respected by their child’s teacher (NYC School Survey).
96%
Effective leadership
of families say the principal is an effective leader.
95%
Teachers recommend us
of teachers say they would recommend P.S. 83 to other families.
High student achievement
P.S. 83 is one of East Harlem’s highest-achieving elementary schools, with students consistently performing above city and state averages in core subjects. The school is ranked in the top 16% of all New York State elementary schools, reflecting strong, sustained academic results.
As a staff member, you join a team that uses data, high expectations, and individualized support to help students build confidence, critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Strong leadership and a clear vision
P.S. 83’s leadership team, including Principal Frances Castillo and Assistant Principal Maria Baldanza, emphasizes both high expectations and deep care for students. Their message to families — “we don’t just teach children, we believe in them” — extends to how they support and uplift staff as professionals.
The administration is described by families as a great team that “go out of their way” and work closely with teachers to provide the very best educational experiences. Staff join a school where leadership is visible, responsive, and aligned to a clear mission and vision.
Meet our School Leadership Team.
An inclusive, whole-child community
Fully accessible, inclusive environment
P.S. 83 is recognized by the NYC Department of Education as a Fully Accessible School, making it a welcoming workplace for staff and families with diverse physical needs. The building includes elevator access to all floors, accessible entrances and ramps, ADA-compliant restrooms, wide hallways, and Braille and visual signage.
This commitment to access reflects a broader school culture focused on equity and inclusion for all students and adults. As a staff member, you work in a building and community designed to remove barriers and ensure everyone can fully participate.
See our accessibility statement.
Whole-child supports and partnerships
P.S. 83 supports the whole child through a robust network of services and partnerships. The school houses a Mount Sinai School-Based Health Clinic on-site, giving students access to medical and mental health services during the school day at no cost to families.
The school also offers social-emotional learning supports, a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), City Year partnership and after-school programming, technology-integrated instruction, and a variety of enrichment opportunities and events. For staff, this means you are part of a team where academic, social-emotional, and health supports are aligned to help every student succeed.
Explore our Mount Sinai clinic, MTSS, and City Year partnerships.
A schedule that supports teaching and learning
The school day runs from 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM, providing a consistent, student-centered schedule. Within this structure, staff work in classrooms designed around rigorous instruction, high expectations, and individualized support.
Because the school uses data-driven priorities and MTSS, teachers benefit from clear systems for identifying student needs, collaborating with colleagues, and aligning instructional goals. These structures make it easier to focus on what matters most: high-quality teaching and meaningful relationships with students.
A community that values its school
Parents describe teachers who don’t just teach — they invest, and share stories of children who went from struggling readers to award-winning writers, or from early learners to students accepted into specialized middle schools.
Many families emphasize the dedication of teachers, the support of leadership, and the strong academic outcomes their children achieve. As a staff member, you join a school where your work is recognized, valued, and deeply appreciated by the community you serve.
P.S. 83 at a glance
- Grades served
- 3K through Grade 5
- District
- NYC Public Schools, District 4
- Neighborhood
- East Harlem / El Barrio
- School day
- 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM
- Principal
- Frances Castillo
- Assistant Principal
- Maria Baldanza
Come see P.S. 83 for yourself
Visit our East Harlem campus, meet our team, and learn what it means to grow your career here.