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Average

#3105 of 4,739 schools in NY

PS 20 John Bowne

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25

142-30 BARCLAY AVE, Flushing, NY 11355

Enrollment

1,016

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Flushing

#39 of 45

public schools

New York elementary schools

#1,698 of 2,549

In district

#38 of 46

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About PS 20 John Bowne

PS 20 John Bowne serves 1,016 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Flushing, Queens. This regular public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 65 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a manageable classroom environment for young learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, ranking #1295 out of 4,758 New York elementary schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile statewide.

Students show encouraging progress in core subjects, with 56% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 58% meeting standards in mathematics. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 7.0 out of 10, PS 20 John Bowne offers a stable educational foundation for its diverse student body. Located on Barclay Avenue in the heart of Flushing, the school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $52,658.

The neighborhood reflects the diversity that characterizes much of Queens, with families from various backgrounds coming together in this densely populated area of nearly 80,000 residents. The school operates within New York City's dynamic urban landscape, providing elementary education in one of the most culturally rich boroughs of the city.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1

PS 20 John Bowne — Students at PS 20 John Bowne score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 60.2%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
68%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
58.3%
ELA
55.5%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How PS 20 John Bowne Compares

See how PS 20 John Bowne performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in NY
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

Location

142-30 BARCLAY AVE, Flushing, NY 11355

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 20 John Bowne may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 242 LEONARD P STAVISKY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 24 ANDREW JACKSON (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FLUSHING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Flushing, see our Flushing schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ACTIVE LEARNING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (THE) Flushing 0.3 mi 5.3
SHIELD INSTITUTE OF FLUSHING Flushing 0.4 mi 6.7
JHS 189 DANIEL CARTER BEARD Flushing 0.3 mi 7.9
FLUSHING INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Flushing 0.3 mi 5.3
VERITAS ACADEMY Flushing 0.5 mi 6.9
QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES Flushing 0.5 mi 6.9
FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL Flushing 0.5 mi 6.7
THE WINDSOR SCHOOL Flushing 0.4 mi 6.0
MUSLIM CENTER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Flushing 0.6 mi 5.1
QUEENS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Flushing 0.6 mi 5.4
PS 24 ANDREW JACKSON Flushing 0.5 mi 7.7
IS 237 Flushing 0.6 mi 6.2
EAST-WEST SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES Flushing 0.6 mi 8.1
THE LEARNING TREE STEM-ARTS SCHOOL Flushing 0.7 mi 5.9
FLUSHING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Flushing 0.6 mi 7.5
PS 214 CADWALLADER COLDEN Flushing 0.8 mi 5.7
PS 22 THOMAS JEFFERSON Flushing 0.7 mi 7.2
PS 242 LEONARD P STAVISKY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Flushing 0.9 mi 8.1
PS 120 Flushing 0.9 mi 7.2
PS 21 EDWARD HART Flushing 1.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11355 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,700

Median Home Value

$711,500

Median Rent

$1,664/mo

Population

79,802

College Educated

23.6%

Homeownership

30%

Avg Commute

40.4 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

46.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 20 John Bowne has a median household income of $53,700. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $711,500, with a median rent of $1,664/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 40 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
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica, NY 5.7
GRAND CONCOURSE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY 5.7
PS 148 East Elmhurst, NY 5.7
PS 163 BATH BEACH Brooklyn, NY 5.7
PS 169 SUNSET PARK Brooklyn, NY 5.7
RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ridge, NY 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 20 John Bowne

What grades does PS 20 John Bowne serve?

PS 20 John Bowne serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 20 John Bowne?

PS 20 John Bowne has an enrollment of approximately 1,016 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 20 John Bowne?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 20 John Bowne is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 20 John Bowne rank in NY?

PS 20 John Bowne is ranked #3105 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 20 John Bowne's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 20 John Bowne has a composite rating of 5.7 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 20 John Bowne?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 20 John Bowne has 60.2% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 20 John Bowne a charter school?

No, PS 20 John Bowne is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 20 John Bowne a Title I school?

No, PS 20 John Bowne is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 20 John Bowne?

89.0% of students at PS 20 John Bowne qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
99 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,016
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Queens County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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