Below Average
#3779 of 4,742 schools in NY
PS 17
Elementary School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
1045 W DELAVAN AVE, Buffalo, NY 14209
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#3,779 of 4,742
In Buffalo
#50 of 85
public schools
In district
#38 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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PS 17
Elementary School in Buffalo · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Leonardo Da Vinci High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 17
PS 17 is a public elementary school in Buffalo, NY, part of BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. PS 17 serves approximately 278 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 8.7:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 17 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,779 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 17 show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 4.9
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at PS 17 sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 8.7:1 students to teachers, PS 17 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
75% of students at PS 17 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
PS 17 — Students at PS 17 score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How PS 17 Compares
See how PS 17 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1045 W DELAVAN AVE, Buffalo, NY 14209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 17 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CATHOLIC ACADEMY WEST BUFFALO (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO ACADEMY FOR THE VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS Buffalo | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| LEONARDO DA VINCI HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| PS 74 HAMLIN PARK - CLAUDE AND OUIDA CLAPP ACADEMY Buffalo | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| CATHOLIC ACADEMY WEST BUFFALO Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| COMMUNITY SCHOOL #53 Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| HEALTH SCIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| NARDIN ACADEMY Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| DR GEORGE BLACKMAN ECC Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| STANLEY MAKOWSKI EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| CITY HONORS SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| NICHOLS SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| PRIMARY HALL PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| RESEARCH LABORATORY HS-BIOINFORMATIC Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| PS 59 DR CHARLES DREW SCIENCE MAGNET Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING JR #48 Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| MARVA J DANIEL FUTURES PREPARATORY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,359
Median Home Value
$408,600
Median Rent
$1,025/mo
Population
8,373
College Educated
46.1%
Homeownership
34.1%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
25%
Median Age
35.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BIG CROSS STREET SCHOOL Glens Falls, NY | 4.7 |
| CHARLES E RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oswego, NY | 4.7 |
| D B BUNCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pavilion, NY | 4.7 |
| EMMA C CHASE SCHOOL Wurtsboro, NY | 4.7 |
| KENT PRIMARY SCHOOL Carmel, NY | 4.7 |
| LA FAYETTE SCHOOL Waterloo, NY | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 17
What grades does PS 17 serve?
PS 17 serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend PS 17?
PS 17 has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 17?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 17 is 8.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 17 rank in NY?
PS 17 ranks #3,779 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 17's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 17 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at PS 17?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 17 has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is PS 17 a charter school?
No, PS 17 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 17 a Title I school?
No, PS 17 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 17?
88.5% of students at PS 17 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 278
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Erie County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 75.2%
- Phone
- (716) 816-3150
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #38 of 59
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.
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