Average
#2506 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 17 Henry David Thoreau
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30
28-37 29TH ST, Long Island City, NY 11102
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Long Island City
#31 of 38
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,410 of 2,549
In district
#36 of 50
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 17 Henry David Thoreau
PS 17 Henry David Thoreau is a vibrant elementary school located in Long Island City, Queens County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 583 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education, PS 17 offers a supportive learning environment.
While the MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #3068 out of 4758 schools in New York suggest there is room for academic growth, PS 17 focuses on student development through various programs and resources. In terms of standardized testing, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 36% are proficient or above in Math. Located in a bustling part of Long Island City within the heart of New York City, PS 17 Henry David Thoreau is immersed in a dynamic urban setting that offers many opportunities for both learning and social growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 17 Henry David Thoreau — Students at PS 17 Henry David Thoreau score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.8%
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: 8.5/10.
How PS 17 Henry David Thoreau Compares
See how PS 17 Henry David Thoreau performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
28-37 29TH ST, Long Island City, NY 11102
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 17 Henry David Thoreau may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 171 PETER G VAN ALST (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 85 JUDGE CHARLES VALLONE (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 166 HENRY GRADSTEIN (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Long Island City, see our Long Island City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,996
Median Home Value
$779,800
Median Rent
$2,248/mo
Population
28,349
College Educated
58.2%
Homeownership
14.6%
Avg Commute
41.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 17 Henry David Thoreau has a median household income of $102,996. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $779,800, with a median rent of $2,248/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute in the area is 41 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 |
|---|---|
| A F PALMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / WINDSOR CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Windsor, NY | 6.3 |
| ALICE E GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elmsford, NY | 6.3 |
| BOONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boonville, NY | 6.3 |
| EAST SYRACUSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Syracuse, NY | 6.3 |
| FOSTERTOWN SCHOOL Newburgh, NY | 6.3 |
| GLENCLIFF SCHOOL Rexford, NY | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 17 Henry David Thoreau
What grades does PS 17 Henry David Thoreau serve?
PS 17 Henry David Thoreau serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 17 Henry David Thoreau?
PS 17 Henry David Thoreau has an enrollment of approximately 583 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 17 Henry David Thoreau?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 17 Henry David Thoreau is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 17 Henry David Thoreau rank in NY?
PS 17 Henry David Thoreau is ranked #2506 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 17 Henry David Thoreau's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 17 Henry David Thoreau has a composite rating of 6.3 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 17 Henry David Thoreau?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 17 Henry David Thoreau has 36.4% math proficiency and 45.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 17 Henry David Thoreau a charter school?
No, PS 17 Henry David Thoreau is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 17 Henry David Thoreau a Title I school?
No, PS 17 Henry David Thoreau is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 17 Henry David Thoreau?
69.8% of students at PS 17 Henry David Thoreau qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 583
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Phone
- (718) 278-1220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30- District Enrollment
- 37,414
- Schools in District
- 52
- District Rank
- #36 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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- 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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