Needs Improvement
#4623 of 4,739 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
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#71 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,454 of 2,549
In district
#52 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About PS 81
PS 81 serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Buffalo, New York. The school enrolls 756 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, supported by 55 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school in a large city setting, it provides comprehensive education across the elementary and middle school years.
Academically, PS 81 has room for significant growth. In English Language Arts, 36% of students score at proficient level or above, while math proficiency sits at 21% across grade levels. The school's current academic performance reflects challenges that the school community is working to address.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking in the 8th percentile among New York schools, PS 81 is focused on student development and improvement in core academic areas. Families considering PS 81 should understand that the school is navigating academic performance gaps common to many urban schools. Parents looking for schools in the area may want to explore what support systems and initiatives the school has in place to help students progress in reading and mathematics skills.
Located at 140 Tacoma Avenue, PS 81 remains an integral part of the Buffalo community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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PS 81 — Students at PS 81 score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 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: 3.5/10.
How PS 81 Compares
See how PS 81 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 34.5% (2021).
Location
140 TACOMA AVE, Buffalo, NY 14216
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 81 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL - ROOSEVELT SITE (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANDREWS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Kenmore), 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 | 3.6 |
| ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| NICHOLS SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ELMWOOD VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL HERTEL Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| MCKINLEY VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| CHARLES A LINDBERGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL - ROOSEVELT SITE Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| KENMORE WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| PFC WILLIAM J GRABIARZ #79 Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| WEST HERTEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| DR GEORGE BLACKMAN ECC Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| PRIMARY HALL PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| PS 65 ROOSEVELT ECC Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 3.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 81 has a median household income of $70,260. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,700, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CIRCLEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Circleville, NY | 3.5 |
| EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood, NY | 3.5 |
| FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 3.5 |
| HYDE PARK SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY | 3.5 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 3.5 |
| MONTGOMERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Montgomery, NY | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #4623 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 81's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 81 has a composite rating of 3.5 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 81?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 81 has 21.0% math proficiency and 35.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (716) 816-4060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #52 of 59
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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- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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