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Very Good

#1663 of 4,742 schools in NY

Top 35% in state

PS 251

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29

144-51 ARTHUR ST, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#1,663 of 4,742

In Springfield Gardens

#7 of 15

public schools

In district

#13 of 46

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29

Equity

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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PS 251

7.0/10

Elementary School in Springfield Gardens · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Collaborative Arts Middle School

6.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Community Voices Middle School

5.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About PS 251

PS 251 is a public elementary school in Springfield Gardens, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29. PS 251 serves approximately 223 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 251 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,663 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for PS 251 show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.6
  • NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

54% of students at PS 251 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 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Chronic Absenteeism54.3%

PS 251 — Students at PS 251 score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
48.1% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
57.0% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
58.6%
ELA
68.4%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
62.2%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How PS 251 Compares

See how PS 251 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in NY
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

144-51 ARTHUR ST, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 251 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 181 BROOKFIELD (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL - SPRINGFIELD GARDENS (rated 7.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PS 132 RALPH BUNCHE (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Springfield Gardens, see our Springfield Gardens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
COLLABORATIVE ARTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Springfield Gardens 0.0 mi 6.3
COMMUNITY VOICES MIDDLE SCHOOL Springfield Gardens 0.0 mi 5.9
EXCELSIOR PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Springfield Gardens 0.2 mi 8.2
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES Springfield Gardens 0.2 mi 6.6
QUEENS PREPARATORY ACADEMY Springfield Gardens 0.2 mi 6.9
PREPARATORY ACADEMY FOR WRITERS: A COLLEGE BOARD SCHOOL Springfield Gardens 0.2 mi 7.2
QUEENS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Jamaica 0.4 mi
PS 52 Jamaica 0.5 mi 2.7
CYNTHIA JENKINS SCHOOL Jamaica 0.8 mi 3.8
PS 181 BROOKFIELD Springfield Gardens 0.7 mi 7.6
PS 80 THURGOOD MARSHALL MAGNET SCHOOL OF MULTIMEDIA (THE) Jamaica 0.7 mi 5.4
MERRICK ACADEMY-QUEENS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Springfield Gardens 0.8 mi 4.9
LINDEN SDA SCHOOL Laurelton 1.0 mi 5.7
QUEENS UNITED MIDDLE SCHOOL Springfield Gardens 1.0 mi 7.9
IS 59 SPRINGFIELD GARDENS Springfield Gardens 1.2 mi 5.6
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL - SPRINGFIELD GARDENS Springfield Gardens 1.2 mi 7.3
PS 156 LAURELTON Springfield Gardens 1.0 mi 5.0
CATHERINE & COUNT BASIE MIDDLE SCHOOL 72 Jamaica 1.1 mi 5.4
REDWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Jamaica 1.1 mi 6.9
PS 132 RALPH BUNCHE Springfield Gardens 1.3 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11413 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,766

Median Home Value

$631,700

Median Rent

$2,038/mo

Population

45,072

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

72.7%

Avg Commute

47.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

39.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BEDFORD VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bedford, NY 7.0
BRIDGES ACADEMY (THE) West Islip, NY 7.0
BROOKLYN ARTS AND SCIENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 7.0
COLEBROOK SCHOOL Rochester, NY 7.0
GLEN-WORDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Scotia, NY 7.0
GOOSEHILL PRIMARY CENTER Cold Spring Harbor, NY 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 251

What grades does PS 251 serve?

PS 251 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 251?

PS 251 has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 251?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 251 is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 251 rank in NY?

PS 251 ranks #1,663 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is PS 251's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 251 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 251?

Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 251 has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is PS 251 a charter school?

No, PS 251 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 251 a Title I school?

No, PS 251 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 251?

76.7% of students at PS 251 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
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
70 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Queens County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.3%

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