P.S. 171 Peter G. Van Alst (30Q171) is a public school in District 30, Old Astoria, Queens, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 47% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 417 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 15.1 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 math proficiency is 47%, about typical for NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need; down 10 points from 2025; math is up 16 points since 2023, while citywide math rose 6 points.
Also worth knowing: 2026 reading proficiency is 32%, about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need and lower than most district elementary schools.
96%
of parents trust the principal
95%
trust their child's teachers
96%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 41% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.5 · 48th percentile
The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.
View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality SnapshotReading
32%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
173 students tested
59 students tested
114 students tested
Mathematics
47%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
175 students tested
58 students tested
117 students tested
Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.
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
| Year | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 31% | 27% |
| 2019 | 30% | 20% |
| 2022 | 27% | 12% |
| 2023 | 33% | 31% |
| 2024 | 32% | 32% |
| 2025 | 47% | 56% |
| 2026 | 32% | 47% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 32%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 45%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 57%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 56%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 47%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 60%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 88%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 85%
Economic need index: 87%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 32%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 57%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 45%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 56%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 60%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 47%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 88%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 85%
Economic need index: 87%1.0 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 171 Peter G. Van Alst | P.S. 017 Henry David Thoreau |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 32% (-15 points vs 2025) | 54% (-13 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 47% (-10 points vs 2025) | 72% (-1 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 15.1 | 21.0 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 417 | 571 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 8.8 | 11.7 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 96% | 94% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 96% | 98% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 95% | 98% |
| Leadership (2026) | 96% | 97% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
P.S. 171 Peter G. Van Alst has lower reading proficiency than P.S. 017 Henry David Thoreau (32% vs 54%) and lower math proficiency (47% vs 72%); 2026 reading is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need; 2026 math is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
417 students
pre-K, K–5 · up 15 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
15.1
children in the average K–5 class; about 8.8 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
16%
was 22% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
87% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 85% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
33%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 14% White, 52% Hispanic, 12% Asian, 19% Black, 1% multiracial, 47% female, 53% male.
Economic need index: 85% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.
NYC DOE · 2026 survey
NYC DOE · 2024–25
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. Check the attendance zone shown above; zones can change and do not guarantee a seat.
14-14 29 AVENUE
Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · School information · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.