Excellent
#572 of 4,742 schools in NY
Top 12% in state
PS 42 Benjamin Altman
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
71 HESTER ST, New York, NY 10002
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#572 of 4,742
In New York
#59 of 346
public schools
In district
#38 of 118
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around PS 42 Benjamin Altman?
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PS 42 Benjamin Altman
Elementary School in New York · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
New Design High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 42 Benjamin Altman
PS 42 Benjamin Altman is a public elementary school in New York, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2. PS 42 Benjamin Altman serves approximately 457 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 42 Benjamin Altman has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #572 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 42 Benjamin Altman show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- District avg 7.8
- NY avg 5.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
PS 42 Benjamin Altman — Students at PS 42 Benjamin Altman score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How PS 42 Benjamin Altman Compares
See how PS 42 Benjamin Altman performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
71 HESTER ST, New York, NY 10002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 42 Benjamin Altman may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 124 YUNG WING (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 2 MEYER LONDON (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MANHATTAN CHARTER SCHOOL II (rated 7.3/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New York, see our New York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW DESIGN HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR DUAL LANGUAGE AND ASIAN STUDIES New York | 0.1 mi | 8.8 |
| ESSEX STREET ACADEMY New York | 0.1 mi | 8.2 |
| URBAN ASSEMBLY ACADEMY OF GOVERNMENT AND LAW New York | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| LOWER MANHATTAN ARTS ACADEMY New York | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| MESIVTA TIFERETH JERUSALEM New York | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| MS 131 New York | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| PACE HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| EMMA LAZARUS HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.1 mi | 6.9 |
| PS 2 MEYER LONDON New York | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| PS 124 YUNG WING New York | 0.3 mi | 9.2 |
| ORCHARD COLLEGIATE ACADEMY New York | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL New York | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| MANHATTAN CHARTER SCHOOL II New York | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| CASCADES HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| FORSYTHE SATELLITE ACADEMY New York | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| LOWER EAST SIDE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL New York | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL LEADERS New York | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| BETH JACOB PAROCHIAL SCHOOL New York | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| PS 20 ANNA SILVER New York | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 10002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,525
Median Home Value
$808,500
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Population
75,517
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
18.6%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Median Age
42.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| 30TH AVENUE SCHOOL (THE) (G & T CITYWIDE) Astoria, NY | 8.1 |
| BRONX ACADEMY OF PROMISE CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 8.1 |
| DOS PUENTES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New York, NY | 8.1 |
| F E BELLOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mamaroneck, NY | 8.1 |
| FAYETTEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fayetteville, NY | 8.1 |
| FRANCIS L STEVENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ballston Lake, NY | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 42 Benjamin Altman
What grades does PS 42 Benjamin Altman serve?
PS 42 Benjamin Altman serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 42 Benjamin Altman?
PS 42 Benjamin Altman has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 42 Benjamin Altman?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 42 Benjamin Altman is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 42 Benjamin Altman rank in NY?
PS 42 Benjamin Altman ranks #572 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 42 Benjamin Altman's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 42 Benjamin Altman has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 42 Benjamin Altman?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 42 Benjamin Altman has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is PS 42 Benjamin Altman a charter school?
No, PS 42 Benjamin Altman is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 42 Benjamin Altman a Title I school?
No, PS 42 Benjamin Altman is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 42 Benjamin Altman?
67.6% of students at PS 42 Benjamin Altman 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 457
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- New York County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.5%
- Phone
- (212) 226-8410
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2- District Enrollment
- 55,421
- Schools in District
- 119
- District Rank
- #38 of 118
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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