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Excellent

#443 of 4,742 schools in NY

Top 9% in state

PS 79 Francis Lewis

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25

147-27 15TH DR, Whitestone, NY 11357

Enrollment

1,057

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#443 of 4,742

In Whitestone

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#4 of 46

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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PS 79 Francis Lewis

8.3/10

Elementary School in Whitestone · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Lukes School

6.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

PS 193 Alfred J Kennedy

7.9/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About PS 79 Francis Lewis

PS 79 Francis Lewis is a public elementary school in Whitestone, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25. PS 79 Francis Lewis serves approximately 1,057 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 79 Francis Lewis has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #443 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for PS 79 Francis Lewis show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • NY avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+26.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+28.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Chronic Absenteeism18.2%

PS 79 Francis Lewis — Students at PS 79 Francis Lewis score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 77.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
48.1% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 69.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
57.0% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
95%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
69%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
74%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
70%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2020*
Math
87%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
79.5%
2022
Math
80.4%
ELA
70.2%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How PS 79 Francis Lewis Compares

See how PS 79 Francis Lewis performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
91th percentile in NY
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
5.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

147-27 15TH DR, Whitestone, NY 11357

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 79 Francis Lewis may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CIRCLE ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is PS 242 LEONARD P STAVISKY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Flushing), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PS 193 ALFRED J KENNEDY (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Whitestone, see our Whitestone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ST LUKES SCHOOL Whitestone 0.4 mi 6.1
PS 193 ALFRED J KENNEDY Whitestone 0.6 mi 7.9
THE LOWELL SCHOOL Whitestone 0.7 mi 7.6
JHS 185 EDWARD BLEEKER Flushing 0.8 mi 8.1
JHS 194 WILLIAM CARR Whitestone 0.6 mi 7.1
PS 21 EDWARD HART Flushing 0.8 mi 6.5
ST MEL CATHOLIC ACADEMY Flushing 1.0 mi 6.1
PS 214 CADWALLADER COLDEN Flushing 1.2 mi 7.7
PS 184 FLUSHING MANOR Whitestone 1.1 mi 7.6
THE LEARNING TREE STEM-ARTS SCHOOL Flushing 1.4 mi 5.9
PS 242 LEONARD P STAVISKY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Flushing 1.4 mi 8.3
PS 129 PATRICIA LARKIN College Point 1.2 mi 6.3
PS 209 CLEARVIEW GARDENS Whitestone 1.2 mi 7.8
QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES Flushing 1.5 mi 7.0
QUEENS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Flushing 1.5 mi 4.6
VERITAS ACADEMY Flushing 1.6 mi 6.3
CIRCLE ACADEMY Whitestone 1.2 mi 8.5
FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL Flushing 1.6 mi 6.9
ST ANDREW AVELLINO CATHOLIC ACADEMY Flushing 1.6 mi 5.0
SHIELD INSTITUTE OF FLUSHING Flushing 1.6 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11357 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,754

Median Home Value

$920,200

Median Rent

$2,228/mo

Population

42,341

College Educated

37.9%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

36.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

48.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CENTRAL BROOKLYN ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 8.3
CENTRAL QUEENS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Elmhurst, NY 8.3
PS 101 VERRAZANO (THE) Brooklyn, NY 8.3
PS 171 PATRICK HENRY New York, NY 8.3
PS 203 OAKLAND GARDENS Bayside, NY 8.3
PS 24 ANDREW JACKSON Flushing, NY 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 79 Francis Lewis

What grades does PS 79 Francis Lewis serve?

PS 79 Francis Lewis serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 79 Francis Lewis?

PS 79 Francis Lewis has an enrollment of approximately 1,057 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 79 Francis Lewis?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 79 Francis Lewis is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 79 Francis Lewis rank in NY?

PS 79 Francis Lewis ranks #443 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is PS 79 Francis Lewis's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 79 Francis Lewis has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 79 Francis Lewis?

Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 79 Francis Lewis has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is PS 79 Francis Lewis a charter school?

No, PS 79 Francis Lewis is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 79 Francis Lewis a Title I school?

No, PS 79 Francis Lewis is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 79 Francis Lewis?

63.9% of students at PS 79 Francis Lewis qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
62 Good Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Queens County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.2%

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