P.S. 196 - The Grand Central Parkway School (28Q196) is a public school in District 28, Forest Hills, Queens, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 92% of tested students were proficient in reading and 97% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 721 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 21.5 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 92%, higher than most NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need; down 5 points from 2025.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 63% in reading (30 tested), compared with 92% schoolwide.
97%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
95%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 64% of families answered.
Students here gain more than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.77 · 95th 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
92%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
285 students tested
30 students tested
255 students tested
Mathematics
97%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
294 students tested
33 students tested
261 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 | 92% | 94% |
| 2019 | 90% | 97% |
| 2022 | 94% | 96% |
| 2023 | 93% | 98% |
| 2024 | 90% | 97% |
| 2025 | 97% | 98% |
| 2026 | 92% | 97% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 28%
Economic need index: 24%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 22%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 29%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 43%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 56%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 71%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 79%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 81%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 28%
Economic need index: 24%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 22%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 43%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 29%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 56%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 71%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 79%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 81%1.2 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 196 - The Grand Central Parkway School | The Academy for Excellence through the Arts |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 92% (-5 points vs 2025) | 86% (-7 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 97% (-1 points vs 2025) | 93% (-2 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 21.5 | 23.0 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 721 | 576 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 12.8 | 15.3 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 95% | 94% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 97% | 95% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 95% |
| Leadership (2026) | 96% | 93% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
P.S. 196 - The Grand Central Parkway School has higher reading proficiency than The Academy for Excellence through the Arts (92% vs 86%).
Enrollment
721 students
pre-K, K–5 · down 187 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
21.5
children in the average K–5 class; about 12.8 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
7%
was 7% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
22% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 28% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
19%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 29% White, 16% Hispanic, 43% Asian, 2% Black, 9% multiracial, 49% female, 51% male.
Economic need index: 28% — 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.
71-25 113th St, Forest Hills, NY 11375, USA
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.