Best Schools in Far Rockaway, New York
28 schools · 10 Elementary · 3 Middle · 8 High · 7 Other
Choosing a school in Far Rockaway?
Use this page to compare every school in Far Rockaway by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School
Elementary · Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy Vi
Middle · New York City Geographic District #27. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Wave Preparatory Elementary School
Elementary · New York City Geographic District #27. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Far Rockaway for 2026 are Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School (8.5/10), Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy Vi (8.2/10), and Wave Preparatory Elementary School (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
28
16 public · 12 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$649,400
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
28
16 public · 12 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$649,400
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 8.2/10 despite 88% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Far Rockaway schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +36.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Far Rockaway schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Far Rockaway
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 16 rated schools; 28 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy Vi | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Wave Preparatory Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Queens High School for Information Research and Technology | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | PS 197 Ocean School (the) | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Village Academy | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Challenge Preparatory Charter School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Randolph Holder School of Social Justice (the) | 5.9 / 10 |
| 9 | PS 104 Bays Water (the) | 5.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Lighthouse Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $57,027
- Median home value
- $649,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 45 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 29%
19% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Far Rockaway compares
New York rank
#383 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$57k
61% of New York median
Schools in this city
26
New York City Geographic District #27 runs 81% of Far Rockaway's public schools
Far Rockaway touches 4 districts, but New York City Geographic District #27 is the one most addresses actually attend.
New York City Geographic District #27 accounts for 13 of 16 public schools (81%). The other 3 districts hold the remaining 3.
Among 16 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.0 to 8.5 — the spread is inside Far Rockaway, not a citywide average.
- New York City Geographic District #2713 public · 81%
- Challenge Preparatory Charter School1 public · 6%
- Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School1 public · 6%
- Success Academy Charter School-Far Rockaway1 public · 6%
About Schools in Far Rockaway, New York
Far Rockaway's public school landscape offers parents a wide performance range, from middle-tier to genuinely competitive. The area's 16 ranked public schools average 5.3 out of 10 — a below-average baseline that puts the weight of school selection squarely on parents. The encouraging counterpoint: four schools, or 25% of the total, score 7 or above, meaning strong options exist for families willing to look carefully. That top tier is concentrated but reachable.
Wave Preparatory Elementary School leads the field with an 8.2 out of 10 — the highest score in Far Rockaway and the clearest first choice for elementary families. PS 43 and Queens High School for Information Research and Technology both earn 7.2, and PS 197 Ocean School follows at 7.0. Those four schools anchor the upper tier. Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School scores 5.9, sitting above the local average but below the top performers.
Elementary options carry the most strength here. Three of the four top-rated schools serve elementary-age students, giving families with younger children more viable choices than those researching high schools. At the secondary level, Queens High School for Information Research and Technology is the clear standout — a technology- and research-focused program earning 7.2 and the most competitive high school option in the area.
The practical takeaway: with an average score of 5.3, the typical school here falls in the lower half of the performance range. The gap between the top tier and the middle is wide enough that address and enrollment decisions carry real weight. Elementary families should start with Wave Preparatory. High school families should put Queens High School for Information Research and Technology at the top of their list. The 25% of schools scoring 7 or above are a meaningful slice — but finding them requires looking beyond the average.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 319 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 493 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 403 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 4 | 520 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 5 | 505 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 149 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 7 | 714 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.8 | ||
| 8 | 615 students · Pre-K–8th | 3.7 | ||
| 9 | 593 students · Pre-K–8th | 3.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 8 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 263 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 295 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 3 | 241 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 503 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 280 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 3 | 608 students · 6th–12th | 3.0 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Tag High SchoolPrivate 448 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Congregation YmhPrivate 87 students · 9th–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Yeshiva of Far RockawayPrivate 108 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 393 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Mesivta Shaarei PruzdorPrivate 26 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,195 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.7 | ||
Private Schools6 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Yeshiva Darchei TorahPrivate 2,092 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Darchei TorahPrivate 2,125 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 1,331 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Bais Yaakov Ateres MiriamPrivate 276 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Darchei TorahPrivate 2,165 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Torah Academy for GirlsPrivate 1,695 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Far Rockaway
Far Rockaway, New York · 28 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$57,027
Median Home Value
$649,400
Median Rent
$1,444/mo
Population
68,704
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
29%
Avg Commute
45 min
Poverty Rate
20.8%
Community Profile
Far Rockaway has a median household income of $57,027. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $649,400, with a median rent of $1,444/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 45 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 8
- Other
- 7
Resources
Other Major Cities in New York
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Far Rockaway, New York
How many schools are in Far Rockaway, New York?
Far Rockaway has 28 schools, including 16 public and 12 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Far Rockaway, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Far Rockaway is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Far Rockaway, New York?
The top-ranked school in Far Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Far Rockaway, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Far Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Far Rockaway, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Far Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy Vi with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Far Rockaway, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Far Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Queens High School for Information Research and Technology with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Far Rockaway, New York?
Far Rockaway is served by 4 school districts: Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School, New York City Geographic District #27, Challenge Preparatory Charter School, Success Academy Charter School-Far Rockaway.
What is the education level in Far Rockaway, New York?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Far Rockaway have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Far Rockaway, New York?
The median household income in Far Rockaway is approximately $57,027 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Far Rockaway, New York?
Yes, Far Rockaway has 12 private schools alongside 16 public schools. The top-rated private school is Tag High School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Far Rockaway, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Far Rockaway is 10.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Far Rockaway, New York?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.