P.S. 042 Benjamin Altman

P.S. 042 Benjamin Altman (02M042) is a public school in District 2, Chinatown, Manhattan, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2025, 72% of tested students were proficient in ELA and 80% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 478 students in 2024–25 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 17 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).

At a glance for families

  • Grades served: pre-K, K–5
  • Neighborhood: Chinatown
  • Zoned

Locations (1)

P.S. 042 Benjamin Altman
71 Hester St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Manhattan, Chinatown

What the numbers say

Trust in principal is 99%, higher than most district elementary schools. Average class size is 17.0, smaller than most elementary schools in the district and citywide. 2025 Math proficiency is 80%, higher than most NYC elementary schools. 2025 ELA proficiency is 72%, higher than most NYC elementary schools.

School Quality

At a glance

Grades served
pre-K, K–5
Enrollment (2024–25)
478
Average K–5 class size (2025–26)
17.0
Student–teacher ratio (2025–26)
7.6

Test results

YearSubjectProficientStudents tested
2025ELA72%227
2025Math80%230
2024ELA64%169
2024Math80%174
2023ELA79%188
2023Math86%189
2022ELA69%216
2022Math81%219
2019ELA60%235
2019Math77%238
2018ELA61%287
2018Math78%291

Proficiency means Level 3 or above.

Families and climate (2025)

Family satisfaction
95%
Principal trust
99%
Teacher trust
99%
Leadership
99%
IEP services
96%
Outreach
97%
Facilities
92%
Parent involvement
96%
Survey response rate
54%

Students

Poverty
67%
Economic need index
65%
Students with disabilities
27%
English language learners
22%
Asian
66%
Black
4%
Hispanic
16%
White
10%
Multiracial
4%
Female
47%
Male
53%

How to apply

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.

NYC DOE · 2024–25

School zone

P.S. 042 Benjamin Altman vs P.S. 002 Meyer London

MeasureP.S. 042 Benjamin AltmanP.S. 002 Meyer London
2025 ELA proficient72% (+7 pp vs 2024)54% (-10 pp vs 2024)
2025 Math proficient80% (+1 pp vs 2024)64% (-6 pp vs 2024)
Average K–5 class size (2025–26)17.017.8
Enrollment (2024–25)478339
Student–teacher ratio (2025–26)7.67.8
Family satisfaction95%95%
Principal trust99%96%
Teacher trust99%96%
Leadership99%97%
Distance between schools0.22 mi

P.S. 042 Benjamin Altman has higher ELA proficiency than P.S. 002 Meyer London (72% vs 54%) and higher Math proficiency (80% vs 64%).

Nearby schools

SchoolELAMathClass sizeDistance
P.S. 002 Meyer London54%64%17.80.2 mi
P.S. 124 Yung Wing89%88%21.90.3 mi
P.S. 001 Alfred E. Smith Elementary School42%47%21.50.4 mi
P.S. 130 Hernando De Soto77%78%200.4 mi
P.S. 126 Jacob August Riis72%77%19.10.5 mi
The Peck Slip School68%61%18.10.8 mi
Spruce Street School85%85%21.60.8 mi
P.S. 234 Independence School86%87%20.11.1 mi

Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grades does this school serve?

pre-K, K–5

How do I apply?

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.

What was the 2025 ELA proficiency?

72%

What was the 2025 Math proficiency?

80%

What is the average class size?

17 students in K–5 (2025–26).

Quick Facts

What is this provider?

  • Subject: K–12 Schools
  • Location: Chinatown, Manhattan
  • Address: 71 Hester St, New York, NY 10002, USA