P.S. 251 Queens (29Q251) is a public school in District 29, Springfield Gardens South-Brookville, Queens, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 56% of tested students were proficient in reading and 64% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 205 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 18.9 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
The one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 56%, about typical for NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need; down 12 points from 2025.
Also worth knowing: Math is up 7 points since 2023, while citywide math rose 6 points.
96%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
94%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 46% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.56 · 66th 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
56%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
81 students tested
Mathematics
64%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
73 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 | 44% | 40% |
| 2019 | 44% | 48% |
| 2022 | 63% | 55% |
| 2023 | 52% | 57% |
| 2024 | 58% | 62% |
| 2025 | 68% | 65% |
| 2026 | 56% | 64% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 67%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 68%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 75%
Economic need index: 69%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 79%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 67%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 69%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 68%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 75%
Economic need index: 76%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 79%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.5 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 251 Queens | P.S. 052 Queens |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 56% (-12 points vs 2025) | 23% (-15 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 64% (-1 points vs 2025) | 19% (-4 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 18.9 | 18.4 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 205 | 273 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 9.6 | 9.1 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 94% | 90% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 96% | 96% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 96% |
| Leadership (2026) | 96% | 98% |
| Distance between schools | 0.5 mi | |
P.S. 251 Queens has higher math proficiency than P.S. 052 Queens (64% vs 19%) and higher reading proficiency (56% vs 23%).
Enrollment
205 students
pre-K, K–5 · down 81 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
18.9
children in the average K–5 class; about 9.6 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
15%
was 13% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
81% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 75% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
22%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 1% White, 22% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 62% Black, 5% multiracial, 50% female, 50% male.
Economic need index: 75% — 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. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.
144-51 Arthur Street
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.