Below Average
#4052 of 4,742 schools in NY
PS 81
Elementary School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
140 TACOMA AVE, Buffalo, NY 14216
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,052 of 4,742
In Buffalo
#56 of 85
public schools
In district
#44 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shortlisting around PS 81?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
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PS 81
Elementary School in Buffalo · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Tapestry Charter School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Elmwood-franklin School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 81
PS 81 is a public elementary school in Buffalo, NY, part of BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. PS 81 serves approximately 756 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 81 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,052 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 81 show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 4.9
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
63% of students at PS 81 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 81 — Students at PS 81 score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 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: 4.2/10.
How PS 81 Compares
See how PS 81 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
140 TACOMA AVE, Buffalo, NY 14216
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 81 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TAPESTRY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| NICHOLS SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ELMWOOD VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL HERTEL Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 3.1 |
| MCKINLEY VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| CHARLES A LINDBERGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL - ROOSEVELT SITE Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| KENMORE WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| PFC WILLIAM J GRABIARZ #79 Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| WEST HERTEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| DR GEORGE BLACKMAN ECC Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| PRIMARY HALL PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| PS 65 ROOSEVELT ECC Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| ST ANDREWS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Kenmore | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,260
Median Home Value
$260,700
Median Rent
$1,152/mo
Population
23,221
College Educated
54.1%
Homeownership
46.3%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
34.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DISCOVERY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 4.3 |
| EDWARD SMITH K-8 SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 4.3 |
| FAIRLEY SCHOOL Hannibal, NY | 4.3 |
| GENERAL HERKIMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica, NY | 4.3 |
| HORNELL INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Hornell, NY | 4.3 |
| HURLBUT W SMITH K-8 SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 81
What grades does PS 81 serve?
PS 81 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 81?
PS 81 has an enrollment of approximately 756 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 81?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 81 is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 81 rank in NY?
PS 81 ranks #4,052 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 81's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 81 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 81?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 81 has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is PS 81 a charter school?
No, PS 81 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 81 a Title I school?
No, PS 81 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 81?
81.0% of students at PS 81 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 756
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Erie County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.7%
- Phone
- (716) 816-4060
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #44 of 59
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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