Needs Improvement
#4475 of 4,742 schools in NY
PS 43
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
160 BEACH 29TH ST, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,475 of 4,742
In Far Rockaway
#14 of 16
public schools
In district
#59 of 63
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
Shortlisting around PS 43?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
PS 43
Elementary School in Far Rockaway · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lighthouse Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wave Preparatory Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 43
PS 43 is a public elementary school in Far Rockaway, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27. PS 43 serves approximately 615 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 43 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #4,475 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 43 show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.2
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
98% of students at PS 43 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
PS 43 — Students at PS 43 score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How PS 43 Compares
See how PS 43 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
160 BEACH 29TH ST, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 43 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WAVE PREPARATORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-FAR ROCKAWAY (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 197 OCEAN SCHOOL (THE) (rated 6.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Far Rockaway, see our Far Rockaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11691 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,027
Median Home Value
$649,400
Median Rent
$1,444/mo
Population
68,704
College Educated
23.3%
Homeownership
28.9%
Avg Commute
45 min
Poverty Rate
20.8%
Median Age
36
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binghamton, NY | 3.5 |
| DAVID PATERSON SCHOOL Hempstead, NY | 3.5 |
| HEMPSTEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Valley, NY | 3.5 |
| JOSEPH MCNEIL SCHOOL Hempstead, NY | 3.5 |
| KING STREET SCHOOL Port Chester, NY | 3.5 |
| MARTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lackawanna, NY | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 43
What grades does PS 43 serve?
PS 43 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 43?
PS 43 has an enrollment of approximately 615 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 43?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 43 is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 43 rank in NY?
PS 43 ranks #4,475 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 43's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 43 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 43?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 43 has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is PS 43 a charter school?
No, PS 43 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 43 a Title I school?
No, PS 43 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 43?
93.0% of students at PS 43 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 615
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 97.9%
- Phone
- (718) 327-5860
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27- District Enrollment
- 41,663
- Schools in District
- 63
- District Rank
- #59 of 63
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.
See how we rateRelated 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.