P.S. 042 Eltingville

Test scores at P.S. 042 have climbed steadily over the past decade, with math jumping from 55.9% in 2016 to 74.1% in 2024, and ELA improving from 54.7% to 70.8% over the same period. The school outperforms the district average by roughly 10 percentage points in both subjects, with 4th and 5th graders performing strongest — 5th grade math hits 79.3% proficiency. That said, 3rd grade scores (61.4% ELA, 58% math) lag behind older grades, suggesting the early elementary years may be a time when students need extra support to reach the school's upper-grade benchmarks.

The survey data here is remarkable — 100% of teachers report feeling safe, 99% trust the principal, and families give 94% satisfaction with 96% trust in teachers. There have been zero suspensions in the past two years, creating a discipline record that matches the warm, relationship-focused tone in the surveys. But here's the tension: chronic absenteeism sits at 78.2%, meaning roughly 4 out of 5 students miss significant school time. The school has excellent attendance (93.5%), but that high rate of chronic absenteeism suggests something is driving families to keep kids home — whether health concerns, travel, or something else. It's worth asking the school directly about this disconnect between survey warmth and attendance patterns.

The student body is 65% white, 19% Asian, and 13% Hispanic, reflecting the Great Kills-Eltingville neighborhood's demographics — a mostly working-middle-class community with high homeownership (80.5%) and low poverty (6.7%). At 999 students, it's the largest elementary in this peer group, with class sizes matching the district average at 23.4 students. The economic need index of 34.6% is moderate, and 18% of students have IEPs. PTA fundraising of $289 per student is more than double the district average, indicating active family involvement.

Great Kills-Eltingville is one of Staten Island's more stable, family-dense neighborhoods — the safety score of 81.61 puts it in the top tier, and the stability score of 93.1 reflects long-term residents and established homes. Education orientation is strong at 72.03, meaning families here prioritize schooling. Transit is limited (26.05), which is typical for SI, so most families drive or walk. The neighborhood has parks and family resources typical of suburban Staten Island, and the median home value of $639,736 reflects its desirability for families.

This is a car-dependent neighborhood — families without a car will find transit options limited and should plan for a commute or consider carpooling arrangements.