P.S. 105 The Bay School

Test scores at P.S. 105 remain significantly below District 27 averages — ELA proficiency of 24.3% and math at 18.6% compared to district averages of 56% and 57% respectively. The school has shown uneven progress over time: math scores rose from 9.8% in 2016 to 23% in 2024 before dipping slightly, while ELA has gradually improved from 13.3% in 2017 to 24.3% in 2025. Grade-level data shows Grade 5 performing strongest in ELA (33.3%) while math performance varies widely across grades. With an overall score of 0.86 out of 4, this school is working to lift achievement in a community where economic need index reaches 93.8%.

The survey data tells a complex story. Parents feel deeply connected to the school — 97% trust teachers and 96% trust the principal, which is exceptional. However, teachers report notably lower confidence: only 62% feel the school is safe (versus 93% district average), and 74% trust the principal. Teacher instruction quality scores at 76% also trail the district's 91%. Attendance is a concern — the 84.9% rate and 38.5% chronic absenteeism both fall below district averages. On a positive note, suspensions have dropped significantly from 25 in 2022-23 to just 12 in 2023-24, suggesting disciplinary approaches are improving.

The student body is 59% Black and 36% Hispanic, with 93.8% economic need index — meaning virtually all families face significant financial hardship. Nearly 28% of students have IEPs, and the diversity index sits at 50%. This is a predominantly Black and Hispanic community in a neighborhood where 23.2% of households live below the poverty line and median income is $67,757. The school reflects its neighborhood almost exactly.

The Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere area is a coastal Queens neighborhood known for its beach access, boardwalk, and tight-knit community feel. However, it faces environmental health concerns: elevated lead rates (12.6%), high asthma emergency department rates (54.6 per 1,000), and elevated PM2.5 air pollution. Transit options are limited (scoring just 33 out of 100), and only 33% of residents own homes. The neighborhood scores 54 out of 100 on safety — moderate. For families, there are parks and beach access, though the area has fewer educational resources than more affluent parts of the city.

Many families walk or drive given limited public transit options. The school is accessible from the surrounding residential streets in the Rockaway Beach area.