Best Elementary Schools
in New York, New York
We ranked the 190 elementary schools in New York with real test data. The top 25 scored between 8.2 and 9.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New York education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in New York for 2026 are PS 124 Yung Wing (9.2/10), Spruce Street School (9.1/10), and Basis Independent Manhattan (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 190 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in New York?
Every elementary school in New York is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
PS 124 Yung Wing
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Spruce Street School
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Basis Independent Manhattan
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
New York City's elementary school landscape spans 155 ranked schools, giving families an unusually wide field to evaluate. PS 133 Fred R. Moore leads the group with a 9.5/10 composite score, followed closely by PS 92 Mary McLeod Bethune and Professor Juan Bosch Public School, both at 9.4. The city-wide average sits at 6.6/10, but 69 schools — 45% of the ranked total — clear the 7/10 mark, meaning strong options are distributed across the five boroughs rather than concentrated in a handful of neighborhoods. The table below covers academics, environment, and other key metrics for all 155 schools. Sort by any column to match what matters most to your family. Whether you're prioritizing raw performance scores or looking for a school closer to home, the data lets you compare on your own terms.
PS 124 Yung Wing
Spruce Street School
Basis Independent Manhattan
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked New York's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within New York so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 190 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PS 124 Yung Wing NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 9.2 |
| 2 | Spruce Street School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 9.1 |
| 3 | Basis Independent Manhattan | 9.1 |
| 4 | Peck Slip School (the) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 9.0 |
| 5 | The Caedmon School | 9.0 |
| 6 | Reece School | 9.0 |
| 7 | The Cathedral School of St John the Divine | 8.9 |
| 8 | Muscota NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 8.8 |
| 9 | PS 166 Richard Rogers School of the Arts & Science (the) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.7 |
| 10 | The School at Columbia University | 8.7 |
| 11 | PS 183 Robert L Stevenson NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.6 |
| 12 | PS 89 NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.6 |
| 13 | Battery Park City School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.6 |
| 14 | East Side Elementary School-ps 267 NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.6 |
| 15 | PS 126 Jacob August Riis NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 16 | Yorkville Community School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 17 | River School (the) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.4 |
| 18 | Metropolitan Montessori School | 8.4 |
| 19 | PS 171 Patrick Henry NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 8.3 |
| 20 | Tag Young Scholars NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 8.3 |
| 21 | The Town School | 8.3 |
| 22 | PS 198 Isador E Ida Straus NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 23 | PS 77 Lower Lab School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 24 | PS 234 Independence School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 25 | PS 84 Lillian Weber NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.2 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and New York education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in New York. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in New York
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: New York's Top 10 Elementary Schools
PS 166 Richard Rogers School of the Arts & Science (the)
Choosing the Right Elementary School in New York
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. New York's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in New York, with 208 schools spanning 59 school districts, plus 27 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in New York, New York?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, PS 124 Yung Wing is the top-rated elementary school in New York with a composite score of 9.2/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in New York, New York?
New York has 208 elementary schools, including 27 charter schools. Of these, 199 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in New York?
The average composite score for New York elementary schools is 6.5/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in New York).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within New York, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in New York, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the New York elementary school rankings?
Yes. New York has 27 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.