Below Average
#4103 of 4,742 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
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,103 of 4,742
In Ridgewood
#8 of 9
public schools
In district
#52 of 56
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24
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PS 71 Forest
Elementary School in Ridgewood · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Notre Dame Catholic Academy
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ace Academy for Scholars at the Geraldine Ferraro Campus
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 71 Forest
PS 71 Forest is a public elementary school in Ridgewood, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24. PS 71 Forest serves approximately 516 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 71 Forest has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #4,103 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 71 Forest show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
52% of students at PS 71 Forest 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 71 Forest — Students at PS 71 Forest score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.6%
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
↓ 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: 4.4/10.
How PS 71 Forest Compares
See how PS 71 Forest performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. ACE ACADEMY FOR SCHOLARS AT THE GERALDINE FERRARO CAMPUS (rated 7.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEARNERS AND LEADERS (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Glendale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 153 MASPETH ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Maspeth), 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 | 7.9 |
| GROVER CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL Ridgewood | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| PS 153 MASPETH ELEMENTARY Maspeth | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| IS 93 RIDGEWOOD Ridgewood | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| ST MATTHIAS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Ridgewood | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 81 JEAN PAUL RICHTER Glendale | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| PS 9 Maspeth | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| PS 88 SENECA Ridgewood | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| LEARNERS AND LEADERS Glendale | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Maspeth | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| PS 239 Ridgewood | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| ST BRIGID SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| BUSHWICK LEADERS HIGH SCHOOL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Glendale | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| JOSEPH F QUINN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 77 Ridgewood | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| ROBERT E PEARY SCHOOL Ridgewood | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| JHS 162 WILLOUGHBY (THE) Brooklyn | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ACADEMY OF URBAN PLANNING AND ENGINEERING (THE) Brooklyn | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| BROOKLYN SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (THE) Brooklyn | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A A GATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Byron, NY | 4.2 |
| BOYLE ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Jefferson Station, NY | 4.2 |
| CATHERINE M MCNAMARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwinsville, NY | 4.2 |
| CHAMBERS SCHOOL Kingston, NY | 4.2 |
| CONNOLLY SCHOOL Glen Cove, NY | 4.2 |
| DR WEEKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 4.2 |
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 ranks #4,103 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 71 Forest's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 71 Forest has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 71 Forest?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 71 Forest has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.1%
- Phone
- (718) 821-7772
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24- District Enrollment
- 50,843
- Schools in District
- 57
- District Rank
- #52 of 56
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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