Needs Improvement
#4708 of 4,739 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
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#82 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,520 of 2,549
In district
#59 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About PS 17
PS 17 is a regular public elementary school in Buffalo, New York, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 278 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, the school provides a relatively small classroom setting that fosters personalized learning experiences. PS 17 offers a nurturing environment with 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each child's educational journey.
The academic performance at PS 17 shows room for improvement, with only 13% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA and reading, and 8% achieving proficiency in math. However, the school is committed to student development and continuous growth, focusing on ways to enhance learning outcomes for all its students. PS 17 is situated within a large city setting, which means it benefits from being part of a vibrant community that offers diverse cultural experiences and resources.
While there's no specific neighborhood data available, PS 17 remains an integral part of the larger Buffalo community, contributing to the educational landscape of Erie County.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, PS 17 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 17 — Students at PS 17 score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 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: 2.4/10.
How PS 17 Compares
See how PS 17 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 5% (2021).
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. ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CATHOLIC ACADEMY WEST BUFFALO (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 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 | 5.6 |
| PS 74 HAMLIN PARK - CLAUDE AND OUIDA CLAPP ACADEMY Buffalo | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| CATHOLIC ACADEMY WEST BUFFALO Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| COMMUNITY SCHOOL #53 Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| HEALTH SCIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| NARDIN ACADEMY Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| DR GEORGE BLACKMAN ECC Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| STANLEY MAKOWSKI EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 3.3 |
| CITY HONORS SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 4.0 |
| ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| RESEARCH LABORATORY HS-BIOINFORMATIC Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 59 DR CHARLES DREW SCIENCE MAGNET Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING JR #48 Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| MARVA J DANIEL FUTURES PREPARATORY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 17 has a median household income of $49,359. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $408,600, with a median rent of $1,025/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| VAN DUYN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 2.8 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Elmira, NY | 2.7 |
| CITIZENSHIP AND SCIENCE ACADEMY OF ROCHESTER CHARTER SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 2.9 |
| MAPLE AVENUE SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY | 2.9 |
| CENTER STREET SCHOOL Horseheads, NY | 2.6 |
| CHARTER SCHOOL OF INQUIRY Buffalo, NY | 2.6 |
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 is ranked #4708 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 17's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 17 has a composite rating of 2.8 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 17?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 17 has 7.5% math proficiency and 12.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (716) 816-3150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #59 of 59
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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