Excellent
#121 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 3% 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
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Springfield Gardens
#1 of 15
public schools
New York elementary schools
#90 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 46
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 251
PS 251 is a public elementary school in Springfield Gardens, NY, part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29. The school serves approximately 223 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 97.5th percentile among NY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 63% in reading/language arts, 6 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $114,766, where 30% 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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Data not available for this school
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PS 251 — Students at PS 251 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
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: 9.7/10.
How PS 251 Compares
See how PS 251 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 54.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 64.5% (2021).
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 52 (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), with a comparable rating. Another option is PS 80 THURGOOD MARSHALL MAGNET SCHOOL OF MULTIMEDIA (THE) (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), a more accessible option. Additionally, PS 132 RALPH BUNCHE (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Springfield Gardens, see our Springfield Gardens schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 251 has a median household income of $114,766. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $631,700, with a median rent of $2,038/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 48 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 |
|---|---|
| CIVIC SCHOOL OF BAYSIDE HILLS (THE) Bayside, NY | 8.8 |
| PS 147 ISSAC REMSEN Brooklyn, NY | 8.8 |
| PS 250 GEORGE H LINDSAY Brooklyn, NY | 8.8 |
| PS 47 CHRIS GALAS Broad Channel, NY | 8.8 |
| WEST NYACK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Nyack, NY | 8.8 |
| BROOKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwin, NY | 8.9 |
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 is ranked #121 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 251's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 251 has a composite rating of 8.8 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 251?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 251 has 56.3% math proficiency and 63.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (718) 276-2745
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29- District Enrollment
- 23,648
- Schools in District
- 46
- District Rank
- #1 of 46
Other Schools in This District
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
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- 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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