P.S. 221 The North Hills School (26Q221) is a public school in District 26, Douglas Manor-Douglaston-Little Neck, Queens, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 71% of tested students were proficient in reading and 78% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 500 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 21.2 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 71%, higher than most NYC elementary schools and about typical for those with similar economic need; down 10 points from 2025; reading is down 8 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 38% in reading (32 tested), compared with 71% schoolwide.
97%
of parents trust the principal
98%
trust their child's teachers
96%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 84% of families answered.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.52 · 54th 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
71%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
224 students tested
32 students tested
192 students tested
Mathematics
78%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
231 students tested
32 students tested
199 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 | 73% | 79% |
| 2019 | 73% | 76% |
| 2022 | 73% | 78% |
| 2023 | 79% | 84% |
| 2024 | 68% | 84% |
| 2025 | 81% | 82% |
| 2026 | 71% | 78% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 42%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 42%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 32%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 42%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 34%
Economic need index: 44%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 53%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 42%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 49%1.7 mi away
Economic need index: 42%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 32%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 42%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 42%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 34%
Economic need index: 44%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 49%1.7 mi away
Economic need index: 53%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 42%0.9 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 221 The North Hills School | P.S. 186 Castlewood |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 71% (-10 points vs 2025) | 63% (-11 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 78% (-4 points vs 2025) | 76% (-6 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 21.2 | 13.7 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 500 | 310 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 11.7 | 5.5 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 96% | 92% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 97% | 92% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 98% | 97% |
| Leadership (2026) | 97% | 93% |
| Distance between schools | 0.8 mi | |
P.S. 221 The North Hills School has higher reading proficiency than P.S. 186 Castlewood (71% vs 63%) and higher trust in principal (2026) (97% vs 92%).
Enrollment
500 students
pre-K, K–5 · down 81 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
21.2
children in the average K–5 class; about 11.7 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
11%
was 9% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
39% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 34% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
20%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 16% White, 17% Hispanic, 64% Asian, 2% Black, 1% multiracial, 52% female, 48% male.
Economic need index: 34% — 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.
57-40 MARATHON PARKWAY
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.