Excellent
#428 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 9% in state
PS 171 Peter G Van Alst
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30
14-14 29TH AVE, Long Island City, NY 11102
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Long Island City
#6 of 38
public schools
New York elementary schools
#277 of 2,549
In district
#6 of 50
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 171 Peter G Van Alst
PS 171 Peter G Van Alst is a public elementary school in Long Island City, NY, part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30. The school serves approximately 472 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91st percentile among NY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 36% proficiency in math, 13 points below the state average and 51% in reading/language arts, 6 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $102,996, where 58% 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 171 Peter G Van Alst — Students at PS 171 Peter G Van Alst score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
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: 9.8/10.
How PS 171 Peter G Van Alst Compares
See how PS 171 Peter G Van Alst performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 54.5% (2021).
Location
14-14 29TH AVE, Long Island City, NY 11102
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 171 Peter G Van Alst may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 85 JUDGE CHARLES VALLONE (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is PS 166 HENRY GRADSTEIN (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PS 111 JACOB BLACKWELL (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Long Island City, see our Long Island City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 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 171 Peter G Van Alst 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL SCHOOL Larchmont, NY | 8.2 |
| ERRICK ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Tonawanda, NY | 8.2 |
| F E BELLOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mamaroneck, NY | 8.2 |
| FOX MEADOW SCHOOL Scarsdale, NY | 8.2 |
| GOLDEN HILL ELEMENTARY Florida, NY | 8.2 |
| GREENVILLE SCHOOL Scarsdale, NY | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 171 Peter G Van Alst
What grades does PS 171 Peter G Van Alst serve?
PS 171 Peter G Van Alst serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 171 Peter G Van Alst?
PS 171 Peter G Van Alst has an enrollment of approximately 472 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 171 Peter G Van Alst?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 171 Peter G Van Alst is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 171 Peter G Van Alst rank in NY?
PS 171 Peter G Van Alst is ranked #428 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 171 Peter G Van Alst's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 171 Peter G Van Alst has a composite rating of 8.2 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 171 Peter G Van Alst?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 171 Peter G Van Alst has 35.6% math proficiency and 50.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 171 Peter G Van Alst a charter school?
No, PS 171 Peter G Van Alst is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 171 Peter G Van Alst a Title I school?
No, PS 171 Peter G Van Alst is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 171 Peter G Van Alst?
91.5% of students at PS 171 Peter G Van Alst 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 472
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Phone
- (718) 932-0909
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30- District Enrollment
- 37,414
- Schools in District
- 52
- District Rank
- #6 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
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
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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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