Very Good
#786 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 17% in state
PS 97 Forest Park
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
85-52 85TH ST, Woodhaven, NY 11421
Enrollment
570
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
570
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Woodhaven
#1 of 3
public schools
New York elementary schools
#507 of 2,549
In district
#10 of 63
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 97 Forest Park
PS 97 Forest Park serves 570 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Woodhaven, Queens, maintaining a comfortable 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio with 42 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public elementary school has earned recognition as a strong performer, ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #1015 out of 4758 New York schools with a 7.0 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 75% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an opportunity for continued growth, with 46% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. These results contribute to the school's solid 7.5 academic score. PS 97 Forest Park draws families from a stable, working-class community where the median household income reaches $81,324 and homeownership reflects investment in the neighborhood with median home values of $665,300.
The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 9.8%, with about one-quarter of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located in the heart of Queens, this elementary school operates within one of New York City's most diverse boroughs, offering students the advantages of urban educational resources while serving a close-knit residential community that values educational achievement and neighborhood stability.
Score Breakdown
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PS 97 Forest Park — Students at PS 97 Forest Park score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
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: 9.1/10.
How PS 97 Forest Park Compares
See how PS 97 Forest Park performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 44.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 74.5% (2021).
Location
85-52 85TH ST, Woodhaven, NY 11421
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 97 Forest Park may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 254 ROSA PARKS SCHOOL (THE) (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Richmond Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 66 JACQUELINE KENNEDY-ONASSIS (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Richmond Hill), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS/IS 113 ANTHONY J PRANZO (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Glendale), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Woodhaven, see our Woodhaven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,439
Median Home Value
$682,800
Median Rent
$1,901/mo
Population
41,937
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
52.6%
Avg Commute
48.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 97 Forest Park has a median household income of $89,439. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $682,800, with a median rent of $1,901/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 48 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 |
|---|---|
| BARDONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bardonia, NY | 7.8 |
| BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Patchogue, NY | 7.8 |
| BIRCHWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schenectady, NY | 7.8 |
| CALEDONIA-MUMFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Caledonia, NY | 7.8 |
| CROMPOND SCHOOL Yorktown Heights, NY | 7.8 |
| DANIEL WEBSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Rochelle, NY | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 97 Forest Park
What grades does PS 97 Forest Park serve?
PS 97 Forest Park serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 97 Forest Park?
PS 97 Forest Park has an enrollment of approximately 570 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 97 Forest Park?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 97 Forest Park is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 97 Forest Park rank in NY?
PS 97 Forest Park is ranked #786 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 97 Forest Park's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 97 Forest Park has a composite rating of 7.8 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 97 Forest Park?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 97 Forest Park has 46.7% math proficiency and 69.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 97 Forest Park a charter school?
No, PS 97 Forest Park is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 97 Forest Park a Title I school?
No, PS 97 Forest Park is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 97 Forest Park?
86.5% of students at PS 97 Forest Park 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
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 570
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Queens County
- Phone
- (718) 849-4870
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27- District Enrollment
- 41,663
- Schools in District
- 63
- District Rank
- #10 of 63
Other Schools in This District
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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- 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
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