Very Good
#1544 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 33% in state
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
126-28 150TH ST, South Ozone Park, NY 11436
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Ozone Park
#2 of 11
public schools
New York elementary schools
#933 of 2,549
In district
#17 of 63
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon is a regular public elementary school located in South Ozone Park, Queens County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 412 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is urban, situated in the heart of a bustling city neighborhood.
Academically, PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon ranks at the 37th percentile among New York schools, with an overall rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout and an academic score of 3.4 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, about half of the students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is around 32%. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to improve overall performance.
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon provides a supportive learning environment with dedicated educators committed to helping each child succeed. The school is nestled in South Ozone Park, a vibrant and diverse community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon — Students at PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.5%
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: 8.9/10.
How PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon Compares
See how PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 49.5% (2021).
Location
126-28 150TH ST, South Ozone Park, NY 11436
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 140 EDWARD K ELLINGTON (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PS 80 THURGOOD MARSHALL MAGNET SCHOOL OF MULTIMEDIA (THE) (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JERMAINE L GREEN STEM INSTITUTE OF QUEENS (THE) (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Jamaica), with a very similar rating. For more schools in South Ozone Park, see our South Ozone Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,104
Median Home Value
$602,800
Median Rent
$2,079/mo
Population
21,364
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
65.4%
Avg Commute
46.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon has a median household income of $86,104. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $602,800, with a median rent of $2,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute in the area is 47 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 |
|---|---|
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamestown, NY | 7.1 |
| ALBANY SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Albany, NY | 7.1 |
| ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Allegany, NY | 7.1 |
| ANDREW MULLER PRIMARY SCHOOL Miller Place, NY | 7.1 |
| AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mahopac, NY | 7.1 |
| BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon
What grades does PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon serve?
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon?
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon has an enrollment of approximately 412 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon rank in NY?
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon is ranked #1544 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon has a composite rating of 7.1 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 45 Clarence Witherspoon?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon has 32.4% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon a charter school?
No, PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon a Title I school?
No, PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon?
92.5% of students at PS 45 Clarence Witherspoon 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 412
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Phone
- (718) 480-2500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27- District Enrollment
- 41,663
- Schools in District
- 63
- District Rank
- #17 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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