Very Good
#894 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 19% 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
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whitestone
#1 of 5
public schools
New York elementary schools
#574 of 2,549
In district
#13 of 46
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 79 Francis Lewis
PS 79 Francis Lewis serves 1,057 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the Whitestone neighborhood of Queens. This elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 with 64 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a learning environment where students receive solid individual attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, ranking #406 out of 4,758 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 92nd percentile.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 79% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 87% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. This academic success has earned PS 79 Francis Lewis a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. The school draws from a well-established community where families value education, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood reflects economic stability with a median household income of $95,987 and home values averaging $906,800. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 7.2%, contributing to a supportive environment for student learning. PS 79 Francis Lewis operates within the vibrant setting of New York City while serving the close-knit Whitestone community of over 42,000 residents.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
PS 79 Francis Lewis — Students at PS 79 Francis Lewis score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
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: 9.0/10.
How PS 79 Francis Lewis Compares
See how PS 79 Francis Lewis performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 87% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 80% (2021).
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), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PS 242 LEONARD P STAVISKY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Flushing), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 209 CLEARVIEW GARDENS (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 6.5 |
| THE LOWELL SCHOOL Whitestone | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| JHS 185 EDWARD BLEEKER Flushing | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| JHS 194 WILLIAM CARR Whitestone | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| PS 184 FLUSHING MANOR Whitestone | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| THE LEARNING TREE STEM-ARTS SCHOOL Flushing | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| PS 242 LEONARD P STAVISKY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Flushing | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| PS 129 PATRICIA LARKIN College Point | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| PS 209 CLEARVIEW GARDENS Whitestone | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES Flushing | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| QUEENS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Flushing | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| VERITAS ACADEMY Flushing | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| CIRCLE ACADEMY Whitestone | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL Flushing | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 79 Francis Lewis has a median household income of $97,754. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $920,200, with a median rent of $2,228/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| BOWLING GREEN SCHOOL Westbury, NY | 7.7 |
| CLAREMONT SCHOOL Ossining, NY | 7.7 |
| ELLICOTT ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Orchard Park, NY | 7.7 |
| OAKWOOD PRIMARY CENTER Huntington, NY | 7.7 |
| PARKDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Aurora, NY | 7.7 |
| PS 110 Corona, NY | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #894 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 79 Francis Lewis's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 79 Francis Lewis has a composite rating of 7.7 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 79 Francis Lewis?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 79 Francis Lewis has 84.4% math proficiency and 78.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (718) 746-0396
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #25- District Enrollment
- 34,702
- Schools in District
- 46
- District Rank
- #13 of 46
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.