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Very Good

#693 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 15% in state

PS 121

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28

126-10 109TH AVE, South Ozone Park, NY 11420

Enrollment

711

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In South Ozone Park

#1 of 11

public schools

New York elementary schools

#449 of 2,549

In district

#6 of 50

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About PS 121

PS 121 serves 711 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in South Ozone Park, Queens, establishing itself as one of New York's standout elementary schools. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio, the school creates an environment where students can receive meaningful individual attention. The academic excellence at PS 121 is impressive, earning an 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #354 out of 4,758 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile.

Students consistently demonstrate strong academic achievement, with 89% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 81% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to rigorous instruction and student success. The school draws from a stable, middle-class community where the median household income reaches $97,919 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.1%.

While only 21% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees, families clearly prioritize education, as evidenced by their children's strong academic performance. PS 121 operates within the dynamic environment of Queens, offering students the advantages of big-city resources while maintaining the close-knit feel of a neighborhood school in this diverse South Ozone Park community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+6.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+32.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1

PS 121 — Students at PS 121 score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 79.0%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 84.6%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
75%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
80%
ELA
88.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.

How PS 121 Compares

See how PS 121 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in NY
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

126-10 109TH AVE, South Ozone Park, NY 11420

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 121 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 50 TALFOURD LAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PS 82 HAMMOND (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PS 55 MAURE (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Richmond Hill), with a comparable rating. For more schools in South Ozone Park, see our South Ozone Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 155 South Ozone Park 0.4 mi 5.5
PS 100 GLEN MORRIS South Ozone Park 0.4 mi 4.9
JHS 226 VIRGIL I GRISSON South Ozone Park 0.6 mi 6.7
HAWTREE CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL South Ozone Park 0.6 mi 6.2
EPIC HIGH SCHOOL-SOUTH South Ozone Park 0.6 mi 5.5
PS 161 ARTHUR ASHE SCHOOL Jamaica 0.5 mi 4.1
PS 55 MAURE Richmond Hill 0.7 mi 7.4
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC ACADEMY South Ozone Park 0.6 mi 5.4
PS 96 South Ozone Park 0.7 mi 4.3
AL-IHSAN ACADEMY South Ozone Park 0.7 mi 6.6
PS 50 TALFOURD LAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamaica 0.9 mi 8.5
QUEENS TRANSITION CENTER Jamaica 0.7 mi 7.2
PS 160 WALTER FRANCIS BISHOP Jamaica 0.9 mi 6.2
EPIC HIGH SCHOOL - NORTH South Richmond Hill 0.9 mi 6.2
PS 108 CAPTAIN VINCENT G FOWLER South Ozone Park 0.9 mi 6.6
AL-IMAN SCHOOL Jamaica 1.2 mi 6.3
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-SOUTH JAMAICA Jamaica 1.0 mi 4.2
PS 124 OSMOND A CHURCH South Ozone Park 1.3 mi 5.4
PS 82 HAMMOND Jamaica 1.4 mi 7.9
PS 123 South Ozone Park 1.1 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,584

Median Home Value

$673,700

Median Rent

$2,032/mo

Population

50,060

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

46 min

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 121 has a median household income of $98,584. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $673,700, with a median rent of $2,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute in the area is 46 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BEDFORD PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.9
BRETTON WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hauppauge, NY 7.9
BROOKLYN PROSPECT CHARTER SCHOOL-CSD 13 Brooklyn, NY 7.9
CENTRAL BOULEVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bethpage, NY 7.9
CHIPPEWA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holtsville, NY 7.9
DENTON AVENUE SCHOOL New Hyde Park, NY 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 121

What grades does PS 121 serve?

PS 121 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 121?

PS 121 has an enrollment of approximately 711 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 121?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 121 is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 121 rank in NY?

PS 121 is ranked #693 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 121's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 121 has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at PS 121?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 121 has 79.0% math proficiency and 84.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 121 a charter school?

No, PS 121 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 121 a Title I school?

No, PS 121 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 121?

77.1% of students at PS 121 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
77 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Queens County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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