Average
#2155 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 46% in state
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
301 W 140TH ST, New York, NY 10030
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#193 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,224 of 2,549
In district
#16 of 28
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 123 Mahalia Jackson
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson is an elementary school located at 301 W 140th St in New York City. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, making it a unique combination of both early childhood and middle grades education. With an enrollment of 391 students, PS 123 Mahalia Jackson has a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, which allows for relatively personalized attention in the classroom.
The school's academic performance is currently at the lower end of the spectrum, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.7 out of 10. On state assessments, only 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 10% meet proficiency standards in Math. These figures indicate areas where the school is focusing on improvement to better support its diverse student body.
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson is situated in a large urban environment and serves a community that values education despite facing challenges. The setting offers students numerous opportunities for cultural enrichment and real-world learning experiences within the vibrant city of New York.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 123 Mahalia Jackson — Students at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 9 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: 8.1/10.
How PS 123 Mahalia Jackson Compares
See how PS 123 Mahalia Jackson performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 34.5% (2021).
Location
301 W 140TH ST, New York, NY 10030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 123 Mahalia Jackson may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 92 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE (rated 9.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 153 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL (rated 9.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WILLIAM LYNCH SCHOOL (THE) (rated 9.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,738
Median Home Value
$810,100
Median Rent
$1,204/mo
Population
30,781
College Educated
34.9%
Homeownership
13.3%
Avg Commute
38.9 min
Poverty Rate
32.6%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 123 Mahalia Jackson has a median household income of $42,738. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $810,100, with a median rent of $1,204/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 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 |
|---|---|
| AFRICAN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vestal, NY | 6.6 |
| ARCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 6.6 |
| CONNOLLY SCHOOL Glen Cove, NY | 6.6 |
| CORNWELL AVENUE SCHOOL West Hempstead, NY | 6.6 |
| CRAIG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schenectady, NY | 6.6 |
| EAST HILL SCHOOL Canajoharie, NY | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 123 Mahalia Jackson
What grades does PS 123 Mahalia Jackson serve?
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 123 Mahalia Jackson?
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 123 Mahalia Jackson rank in NY?
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson is ranked #2155 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 123 Mahalia Jackson's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 123 Mahalia Jackson has a composite rating of 6.6 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 123 Mahalia Jackson?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 123 Mahalia Jackson has 10.5% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 123 Mahalia Jackson a charter school?
No, PS 123 Mahalia Jackson is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 123 Mahalia Jackson a Title I school?
No, PS 123 Mahalia Jackson is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 123 Mahalia Jackson?
95.7% of students at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson 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
- City Safety
- High (3,049/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 342-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5- District Enrollment
- 8,945
- Schools in District
- 28
- District Rank
- #16 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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 Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
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- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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