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
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 121 — Students at PS 121 score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 77% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 87% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (718) 558-1560
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28- District Enrollment
- 38,052
- Schools in District
- 50
- District Rank
- #6 of 50
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 methodologyRelated reading
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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