Excellent
#347 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 7% in state
PS 126 Jacob August Riis
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
80 CATHERINE ST, New York, NY 10038
Enrollment
566
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
566
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New York
#42 of 346
public schools
New York elementary schools
#236 of 2,549
In district
#15 of 118
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 126 Jacob August Riis
PS 126 Jacob August Riis is a public elementary school in New York, NY, part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2. The school serves approximately 566 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92.7th percentile among NY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 75% proficiency in math, 30 points above the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 17 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $115,121, where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 126 Jacob August Riis — Students at PS 126 Jacob August Riis score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 15 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: 8.0/10.
How PS 126 Jacob August Riis Compares
See how PS 126 Jacob August Riis performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 73% (2019) to 72% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 77% (2021).
Location
80 CATHERINE ST, New York, NY 10038
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 126 Jacob August Riis may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 1 ALFRED E SMITH (rated 8.4/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is TRANSFIGURATION UPPER AND LOWER CAMPUS (rated 7.4/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PECK SLIP SCHOOL (THE) (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PS 1 ALFRED E SMITH New York | 0.1 mi | 8.4 |
| TRANSFIGURATION UPPER AND LOWER CAMPUS New York | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| PS 124 YUNG WING New York | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| MURRY BERGTRAUM HIGH SCHOOL FOR BUSINESS CAREERS New York | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (THE) New York | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| URBAN ASSEMBLY MAKER ACADEMY New York | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| MANHATTAN EARLY COLLEGE SCHOOL FOR ADVERTISING New York | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL New York | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| PECK SLIP SCHOOL (THE) New York | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| PS 2 MEYER LONDON New York | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| MESIVTA TIFERETH JERUSALEM New York | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| EMMA LAZARUS HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| MS 131 New York | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| PACE HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| PS 42 BENJAMIN ALTMAN New York | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| PS 130 HERNANDO DE SOTO New York | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| SPRUCE STREET SCHOOL New York | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| DOCK STREET SCHOOL FOR STEAM STUDIES Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| THE TITUS SCHOOL New York | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| NEW DESIGN HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10038 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,121
Median Home Value
$865,700
Median Rent
$3,140/mo
Population
23,342
College Educated
61.6%
Homeownership
28.4%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
34.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 126 Jacob August Riis has a median household income of $115,121. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $865,700, with a median rent of $3,140/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BIRCH LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Massapequa Park, NY | 8.3 |
| DAYTON AVENUE SCHOOL Manorville, NY | 8.3 |
| EAST HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Roslyn Heights, NY | 8.3 |
| GLENWOOD LANDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Glen Head, NY | 8.3 |
| HARBOR HILL SCHOOL Greenvale, NY | 8.3 |
| HARRIS HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Penfield, NY | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 126 Jacob August Riis
What grades does PS 126 Jacob August Riis serve?
PS 126 Jacob August Riis serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 126 Jacob August Riis?
PS 126 Jacob August Riis has an enrollment of approximately 566 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 126 Jacob August Riis?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 126 Jacob August Riis is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 126 Jacob August Riis rank in NY?
PS 126 Jacob August Riis is ranked #347 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 126 Jacob August Riis's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 126 Jacob August Riis has a composite rating of 8.3 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 126 Jacob August Riis?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 126 Jacob August Riis has 74.7% math proficiency and 74.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 126 Jacob August Riis a charter school?
No, PS 126 Jacob August Riis is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 126 Jacob August Riis a Title I school?
No, PS 126 Jacob August Riis is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 126 Jacob August Riis?
73.3% of students at PS 126 Jacob August Riis 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
- Walk Score
- 98 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 100 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 90 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (3,049/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 566
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Phone
- (212) 962-2188
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2- District Enrollment
- 55,421
- Schools in District
- 119
- District Rank
- #15 of 118
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
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- 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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