PS 42 Benjamin Altman

PS 42 Benjamin Altman serves 457 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Manhattan's Lower East Side. This elementary school maintains an excellent 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 42 full-time equivalent teachers, creating intimate learning environments where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 340th out of 4,758 New York elementary schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide.

Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 62% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an even stronger 71% achieving proficiency in mathematics. Located at 71 Hester Street in zip code 10002, PS 42 serves a diverse urban community where the median household income is $43,362 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects the economic diversity typical of Manhattan, with a poverty rate of 26.1% alongside median home values of $784,800.

As a regular public school in one of New York City's most historic neighborhoods, PS 42 Benjamin Altman provides quality elementary education in the heart of the Lower East Side, where families have access to the rich cultural tapestry and opportunities that define this vibrant Manhattan community.