Best Elementary Schools
in New York, New York
We ranked all 208 elementary schools in New York. The top 25 scored between 8.5 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New York education data
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 133 FRED R MOORE
PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE
PROFESSOR JUAN BOSCH PUBLIC SCHOOL
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within New York so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PS 133 FRED R MOORE NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 | 9.5 |
| 2 | PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 | 9.4 |
| 3 | PROFESSOR JUAN BOSCH PUBLIC SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 9.4 |
| 4 | CENTRAL PARK EAST II NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 9.3 |
| 5 | PS 153 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 9.3 |
| 6 | AMISTAD DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 9.3 |
| 7 | PS 15 ROBERTO CLEMENTE NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1 | 9.2 |
| 8 | PS 110 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1 | 9.2 |
| 9 | PS 75 EMILY DICKINSON NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 9.2 |
| 10 | BASIS INDEPENDENT MANHATTAN | 9.1 |
| 11 | WILLIAM LYNCH SCHOOL (THE) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 9.0 |
| 12 | THE CAEDMON SCHOOL | 9.0 |
| 13 | REECE SCHOOL | 9.0 |
| 14 | PS 111 ADOLPH S OCHS NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.9 |
| 15 | THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE | 8.9 |
| 16 | YORKVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.8 |
| 17 | PS 163 ALFRED E SMITH NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.8 |
| 18 | DOS PUENTES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 8.7 |
| 19 | THE SCHOOL AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | 8.7 |
| 20 | 47 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LOWER SCHOOL (THE) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.6 |
| 21 | PS 180 HUGO NEWMAN NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.6 |
| 22 | PS 134 HENRIETTA SZOLD NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1 | 8.5 |
| 23 | PS 3 CHARRETTE SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 24 | PS 7 SAMUEL STERN NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 8.5 |
| 25 | PS 129 JOHN H FINLEY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 | 8.5 |
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
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 133 FRED R MOORE is the top-rated elementary school in New York with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.7/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.