Excellent
#435 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 9% in state
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
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Far Rockaway
#1 of 16
public schools
New York elementary schools
#282 of 2,549
In district
#7 of 63
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 43
PS 43 is a public elementary school in Far Rockaway, NY, part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27. The school serves approximately 615 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 90.8th percentile among NY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 23% proficiency in math and 50% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $57,027, where 23% 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 43 — Students at PS 43 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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 43 Compares
See how PS 43 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 75% (2021).
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), with a very similar rating. Another option is PS 197 OCEAN SCHOOL (THE) (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PENINSULA PREPARATORY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 43 has a median household income of $57,027. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $649,400, with a median rent of $1,444/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 45 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL SCHOOL Larchmont, NY | 8.2 |
| ERRICK ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Tonawanda, NY | 8.2 |
| FOX MEADOW SCHOOL Scarsdale, NY | 8.2 |
| GREENVILLE SCHOOL Scarsdale, NY | 8.2 |
| INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION CENTER Youngstown, NY | 8.2 |
| JOSEPH A EDGAR IMTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Rocky Point, NY | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #435 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 43's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 43 has a composite rating of 8.2 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 43?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 43 has 22.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (718) 327-5860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27- District Enrollment
- 41,663
- Schools in District
- 63
- District Rank
- #7 of 63
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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