Below Average
#4276 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 71 Forest
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24
62-85 FOREST AVE, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgewood
#9 of 9
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,241 of 2,549
In district
#53 of 56
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24
About PS 71 Forest
PS 71 Forest is an elementary school located in Ridgewood, Queens County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 516 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, which allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. PS 71 Forest is staffed by 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each child’s educational journey.
Academically, PS 71 Forest has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks at #3962 out of 4758 schools in New York State, placing it in the 17th percentile. Students perform around the state average in English Language Arts (ELA) with 49% proficient or above, while math proficiency stands at 33%. The school is focused on fostering an environment where students can develop a love for learning and grow academically.
PS 71 Forest is situated in a large city setting within Ridgewood. While the specific neighborhood characteristics are not detailed, the diverse urban area offers unique cultural experiences that complement the educational offerings at the school.
Score Breakdown
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PS 71 Forest — Students at PS 71 Forest score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.6%
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
↓ 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: 4.5/10.
How PS 71 Forest Compares
See how PS 71 Forest performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
62-85 FOREST AVE, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 71 Forest may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 153 MASPETH ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Maspeth), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 9 (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Maspeth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROBERT E PEARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgewood, see our Ridgewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC ACADEMY Ridgewood | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| ACE ACADEMY FOR SCHOLARS AT THE GERALDINE FERRARO CAMPUS Ridgewood | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| GROVER CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL Ridgewood | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| PS 153 MASPETH ELEMENTARY Maspeth | 0.3 mi | 8.7 |
| IS 93 RIDGEWOOD Ridgewood | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MATTHIAS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Ridgewood | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 81 JEAN PAUL RICHTER Glendale | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| PS 9 Maspeth | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| PS 88 SENECA Ridgewood | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| LEARNERS AND LEADERS Glendale | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Maspeth | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| PS 239 Ridgewood | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| ST BRIGID SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| BUSHWICK LEADERS HIGH SCHOOL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Glendale | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| JOSEPH F QUINN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 77 Ridgewood | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ROBERT E PEARY SCHOOL Ridgewood | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| JHS 162 WILLOUGHBY (THE) Brooklyn | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ACADEMY OF URBAN PLANNING AND ENGINEERING (THE) Brooklyn | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| BROOKLYN SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (THE) Brooklyn | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| ACADEMY FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP Brooklyn | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11385 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,365
Median Home Value
$842,800
Median Rent
$1,959/mo
Population
103,865
College Educated
34.1%
Homeownership
30.3%
Avg Commute
43.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 71 Forest has a median household income of $87,365. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $842,800, with a median rent of $1,959/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute in the area is 43 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 |
|---|---|
| ALLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Seneca, NY | 4.3 |
| BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN Bronx, NY | 4.3 |
| BROOKLYN EXCELSIOR CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 4.3 |
| BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 4.3 |
| CARDINAL MCCLOSKEY COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 4.3 |
| CENTRAL VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central Valley, NY | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 71 Forest
What grades does PS 71 Forest serve?
PS 71 Forest serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 71 Forest?
PS 71 Forest has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 71 Forest?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 71 Forest is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 71 Forest rank in NY?
PS 71 Forest is ranked #4276 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 71 Forest's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 71 Forest has a composite rating of 4.3 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 71 Forest?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 71 Forest has 32.6% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 71 Forest a charter school?
No, PS 71 Forest is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 71 Forest a Title I school?
No, PS 71 Forest is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 71 Forest?
81.6% of students at PS 71 Forest qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 516
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Phone
- (718) 821-7772
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24- District Enrollment
- 50,843
- Schools in District
- 57
- District Rank
- #53 of 56
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
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- 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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