P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon

P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon (27Q045) is a public school in District 27, Baisley Park, Queens, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 17% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 445 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 20.8 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).

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At a glance for families

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

Locations (1)

P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon
126-28 150th St, South Ozone Park, NY 11436, USA
Queens, Baisley Park

School Quality

The one thing to remember

2026 reading proficiency is 17%, lower than most NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need; down 8 points from 2025; reading is down 9 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.

What the numbers say

  • Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students (2024–25).
  • 2026 math proficiency is 23%, lower than most NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need. Math is down 6 points since 2023, while citywide math rose 6 points; lower than most NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.
  • English learners make up 37% of students in 2025–26, a higher share than at most district elementary schools.

What its own parents say

95%

of parents trust the principal

96%

trust their child's teachers

94%

satisfied with the education overall

NYC School Survey 2026. 70% of families answered.

Test scores in context

Student progress (2024–25)

DOE School Quality Report

Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students

Impact score: 0.23 · 1st percentile

The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.

View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot

Reading

17%

2026

students scored at Level 3 or 4

147 students tested

Level 152%
Level 231%
Level 311%
Level 46%
See grade-by-grade results
Grade 38%
Grade 416%
Grade 528%

Mathematics

23%

2026

students scored at Level 3 or 4

151 students tested

Level 142%
Level 235%
Level 321%
Level 42%
See grade-by-grade results
Grade 323%
Grade 428%
Grade 518%

Reading benchmarks

2026
This school17%
District 2748%
NYC public schools (DOE)51%

Math benchmarks

2026
This school23%
District 2755%
NYC public schools (DOE)58%

Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.

Proficiency over time

0%25%50%75%100%New state tests27%17%28%23%2018201920222023202420252026
ReadingMath

New York changed its grades 3–8 tests in 2023. Compare years from 2023 onward with each other, not with earlier years.

Citywide reading scores fell sharply in 2026; NYC Public Schools is reviewing the results. Source: NYC Public Schools

View the data behind this chart
YearReadingMath
201827%28%
201929%34%
202224%28%
202326%29%
202425%24%
202525%19%
202617%23%

Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.

How it ranks nearby

Reading · 2026

  1. Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away

  2. Economic need index: 67%2.3 mi away

  3. Economic need index: 74%0.6 mi away

  4. Economic need index: 72%1.2 mi away

  5. Economic need index: 57%2.5 mi away

  6. Economic need index: 70%1.2 mi away

  7. Economic need index: 71%1.8 mi away

  8. Economic need index: 85%0.1 mi away

  9. P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon (this school)17%

    Economic need index: 88%

Math · 2026

  1. Economic need index: 67%2.3 mi away

  2. Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away

  3. Economic need index: 74%0.6 mi away

  4. Economic need index: 71%1.8 mi away

  5. Economic need index: 57%2.5 mi away

  6. Economic need index: 70%1.2 mi away

  7. Economic need index: 72%1.2 mi away

  8. Economic need index: 85%0.1 mi away

  9. P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon (this school)23%

    Economic need index: 88%

P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon vs P.S. 223 Lyndon B. Johnson

MeasureP.S. 045 Clarence WitherspoonP.S. 223 Lyndon B. Johnson
2026 reading proficient17% (-8 points vs 2025)28% (-9 points vs 2025)
2026 math proficient23% (+5 points vs 2025)40% (+3 points vs 2025)
Average K–5 class size (2025–26)20.818.0
Enrollment (2025–26)445500
Student–teacher ratio (2025–26)11.89.8
Family satisfaction (2026)94%95%
Principal trust (2026)95%97%
Teacher trust (2026)96%97%
Leadership (2026)96%97%
Distance between schools0.1 mi

P.S. 045 Clarence Witherspoon has lower math proficiency than P.S. 223 Lyndon B. Johnson (23% vs 40%) and lower reading proficiency (17% vs 28%); 2026 math is lower than most NYC elementary schools with similar economic need; 2026 reading is lower than most NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.

Student body

Enrollment

445 students

pre-K, K–5 · up 162 over five years

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Class size

20.8

children in the average K–5 class; about 11.8 students per teacher (2025–26)

NYC DOE · 2025–26

English learners

37%

was 44% in 2024–25

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Economic need

89% of students live in poverty (2025–26)

Economic need index: 88% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Special education

14%

of students here are in special education

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Student body: 0% White, 56% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 32% Black, 1% multiracial, 49% female, 51% male.

Economic need index: 88% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.

More from the family survey

Leadership
96%
Disability support services
90%
Outreach
95%
Facilities
90%
Parent involvement
92%

NYC DOE · 2026 survey

School zone

NYC DOE · 2024–25

Know before you tour

Admissions

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. Check the attendance zone shown above; zones can change and do not guarantee a seat.

Address

126-28 150th St, South Ozone Park, NY 11436, USA

How to read this page

  • Test scores measure one week in April. They say nothing about the art room, recess or whether your child will be happy. Tour the school.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.

Quick Facts

What is this provider?

  • Subject: K–12 Schools
  • Sub-Subjects: Kindergarten, Elementary School, Preschool
  • Location: Baisley Park, Queens
  • Address: 126-28 150th St, South Ozone Park, NY 11436, USA