Below Average

#4072 of 4,739 schools in NY

Based on limited data

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3

134 W 122ND ST, New York, NY 10027

Last updated: May 2026

Enrollment

156

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

156

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated
2022-23

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New York

#319 of 346

public schools

New York elementary schools

#2,133 of 2,549

In district

#41 of 42

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy, located at 134 W 122ND ST in New York City, is a public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 156 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s educational needs. The academic performance at PS 242 shows that there is room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout Rating of 2.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4690 among 4758 schools in New York (2nd percentile).

The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 15%, with similar results in Math. Despite these challenges, PS 242 is committed to providing a supportive learning environment where students can grow and develop. The school’s setting in the heart of Manhattan offers unique opportunities for cultural enrichment and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 156 students, PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics

Student Progress—Not Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics2.0Needs Improvement60%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency15%

Reading/ELA Proficiency15%

Overall Proficiency15%

Expected (poverty-adj.)44%

vs. Expected-28.9 pts

Adjusted Percentile4th

College Readiness—Not Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent40%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) — Students at PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 15.0%

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 15.0%

School

State

N/A

Based on 2 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

How PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) Compares

See how PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

4.6/10

14th percentile in NY

Academic

2.0/10

Environment

8.6/10

Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

94%

Teaching Staff

10:1 student-teacher ratio

16 teachers

Location

134 W 122ND ST, New York, NY 10027

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 180 HUGO NEWMAN (rated 8.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is STEM INSTITUTE OF MANHATTAN (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOCKE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND ENGINEERING (THE) (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
FUTURE LEADERS INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.0 mi	297	4.9
GREAT TOMORROWS USA New York	0.1 mi	20	—
PS 76 A PHILLIP RANDOLPH New York	0.1 mi	268	7.0
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY WEST 2 CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.2 mi	224	5.7
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 1 New York	0.2 mi	1,553	7.7
PS 149 SOJOURNER TRUTH New York	0.3 mi	260	6.3
PS 154 HARRIET TUBMAN New York	0.3 mi	213	5.7
NEW YORK FRENCH-AMERICAN CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.3 mi	296	6.9
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	1,178	3.9
WADLEIGH PERF AND VISUAL ARTS New York	0.4 mi	349	9.1
FREDERICK DOUGLASS ACADEMY II SECONDARY SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	318	6.3
PS 79 HORAN SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	217	7.3
PS 180 HUGO NEWMAN New York	0.4 mi	346	8.6
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY II CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.4 mi	1,054	4.4
LOCKE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND ENGINEERING (THE) New York	0.5 mi	290	7.4
HARLEM LINK CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.5 mi	339	4.7
OGORMAN GARDEN MONTESSORI New York	0.4 mi	8	—
TEACHERS COLLEGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL New York	0.5 mi	322	6.9
STEM INSTITUTE OF MANHATTAN New York	0.5 mi	133	7.8
OPPORTUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL New York	0.5 mi	379	6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10027 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,220

Median Home Value

$915,000

Median Rent

$1,609/mo

Population

65,068

College Educated

51.8%

Homeownership

15.7%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

23.7%

Median Age

32.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) has a median household income of $64,220. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $915,000, with a median rent of $1,609/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
CLOUGH PREK CENTER Rome, NY	136	4.6
HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL East Greenbush, NY	107	4.6
PS 270 JOHANN DEKALB Brooklyn, NY	122	4.6
PS 64 ROBERT SIMON New York, NY	188	4.6
SCHOOL 7 Dunkirk, NY	161	4.6
ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL Oneida, NY	100	4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)

What grades does PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) serve?

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)?

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) rank in NY?

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) is ranked #4072 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)'s MySchoolScout rating?

PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) has a composite rating of 4.6 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 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) has 15.0% math proficiency and 15.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) a charter school?

No, PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) a Title I school?

No, PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the)?

94.2% of students at PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (the) 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

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Neighborhood Context

City Safety: High (3,049/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New York). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment: 156
Student-Teacher Ratio: 9.8:1
Teachers (FTE): 16
Free/Reduced Lunch: 94.2%
Type: regular
Setting: Large City
County: New York County
Phone: (212) 678-2908
Data Year: 2023–2024

Resources & Links

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