Excellent
#15 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 1% in state
PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30
34-20 94TH ST, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jackson Heights
#1 of 8
public schools
New York elementary schools
#13 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 50
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts
PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts is a K–5 public elementary school in Jackson Heights, New York, serving 452 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6 to 1. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — and ranks 15th among 4,739 public schools statewide, outperforming every public school in New York. Within the elementary category, the standing holds.
PS 280 ranks 13th out of 2,549 elementary schools in New York and is the top-ranked public school among all 8 in Jackson Heights. Placing in the top 15 of a pool that size signals sustained, school-wide performance rather than a single strong cohort. The academic score of 8.7 shows consistent grade-level achievement.
The growth score of 9.9 adds the more decisive signal: students here advance faster than peers at virtually any other elementary school in New York. Combined, these scores explain why PS 280 stands at the top of its neighborhood and near the top of the state. For families evaluating elementary options in Jackson Heights, the school's performance record is hard to match.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts — Students at PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.6%
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: 9.9/10.
How PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts Compares
See how PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 64.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 84.5% (2021).
Location
34-20 94TH ST, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 149 CHRISTA MCAULIFFE (rated 7.9/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is PS 110 (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Corona), a more accessible option. Additionally, PS 212 (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jackson Heights, see our Jackson Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11372 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,133
Median Home Value
$454,400
Median Rent
$1,795/mo
Population
66,995
College Educated
35.1%
Homeownership
34.6%
Avg Commute
40.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts has a median household income of $77,133. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $454,400, with a median rent of $1,795/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute in the area is 41 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 |
|---|---|
| AMISTAD DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL New York, NY | 9.3 |
| CENTRAL PARK EAST II New York, NY | 9.3 |
| PS 153 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL New York, NY | 9.3 |
| PS 361 EAST FLATBUSH EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 9.3 |
| WEST END SCHOOL Lynbrook, NY | 9.3 |
| FURNACE WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cortlandt Manor, NY | 9.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts
What grades does PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts serve?
PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts?
PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts rank in NY?
PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts is ranked #15 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts has a composite rating of 9.3 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 280 Home of the Lionhearts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts has 64.3% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts a charter school?
No, PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts a Title I school?
No, PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts?
95.6% of students at PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 452
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Phone
- (718) 424-9031
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #30- District Enrollment
- 37,414
- Schools in District
- 52
- District Rank
- #1 of 50
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
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
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