Average
#2122 of 4,742 schools in NY
Top 45% in state
PS 186 Castlewood
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #26
252-12 72ND AVE, Bellerose, NY 11426
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
6.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
6.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#2,122 of 4,742
In Bellerose
#2 of 7
public schools
In district
#28 of 34
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #26
Equity
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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PS 186 Castlewood
Elementary School in Bellerose · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
PS 224
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Yeshiva Har Torah
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 186 Castlewood
PS 186 Castlewood is a public elementary school in Bellerose, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #26. PS 186 Castlewood serves approximately 346 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 6.1:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 186 Castlewood has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,122 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 186 Castlewood show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 7.2
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 6.1:1 students to teachers, PS 186 Castlewood sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
33% of students at PS 186 Castlewood 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 186 Castlewood — Students at PS 186 Castlewood score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 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: 5.6/10.
How PS 186 Castlewood Compares
See how PS 186 Castlewood performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
252-12 72ND AVE, Bellerose, NY 11426
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 186 Castlewood may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LAKEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Great Neck), which scores notably higher. Another option is JAMES J AMBROSE SCHOOL (THE) (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Floral Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 18 WINCHESTER (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Queens Village), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bellerose, see our Bellerose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PS 224 Bellerose | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| YESHIVA HAR TORAH Bellerose | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN'S CENTER Bellerose | 0.4 mi | — |
| PS 23 AT QUEENS CHILDREN CENTER Bellerose | 0.4 mi | 3.4 |
| PS/IS 266 Bellerose | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| PS/IS 208 Bellerose | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL OF TEACHING LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES Bellerose | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Floral Park | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| PS Q811 Little Neck | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| IRWIN ALTMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL 172 Floral Park | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| JAMES J AMBROSE SCHOOL (THE) Floral Park | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| PS 221 NORTH HILLS SCHOOL (THE) Little Neck | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| PS 133 Bellerose | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| JHS 67 LOUIS PASTEUR Little Neck | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| PS 191 MAYFLOWER Floral Park | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| PS 993 Floral Park | 1.2 mi | 3.6 |
| PS 18 WINCHESTER Queens Village | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| COUNTRYSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Great Neck | 1.2 mi | — |
| GREAT NECK SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Great Neck | 1.4 mi | 9.0 |
| LAKEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Great Neck | 1.6 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11426 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,591
Median Home Value
$676,100
Median Rent
$2,158/mo
Population
19,638
College Educated
43.8%
Homeownership
70.2%
Avg Commute
39 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
46.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALLEGHANY AVENUE SCHOOL Lindenhurst, NY | 6.5 |
| DANSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL Dansville, NY | 6.5 |
| EAST QUOGUE SCHOOL East Quogue, NY | 6.5 |
| EAST STREET SCHOOL Hicksville, NY | 6.5 |
| EAST VILLAGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL (THE) New York, NY | 6.5 |
| FOREST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany, NY | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 186 Castlewood
What grades does PS 186 Castlewood serve?
PS 186 Castlewood serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 186 Castlewood?
PS 186 Castlewood has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 186 Castlewood?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 186 Castlewood is 6.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 186 Castlewood rank in NY?
PS 186 Castlewood ranks #2,122 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 186 Castlewood's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 186 Castlewood has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 186 Castlewood?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 186 Castlewood has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is PS 186 Castlewood a charter school?
No, PS 186 Castlewood is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 186 Castlewood a Title I school?
No, PS 186 Castlewood is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 186 Castlewood?
48.8% of students at PS 186 Castlewood 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
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.9%
- Phone
- (718) 831-4021
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #26- District Enrollment
- 29,442
- Schools in District
- 34
- District Rank
- #28 of 34
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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