P.S. 123

P.S. 123 has posted extraordinary academic gains over the past nine years — ELA proficiency climbed from 24.7% in 2016 to 66.2% in 2025, while math surged from 22.6% to 78.4%, now sitting roughly 21 percentage points above the district average in math and 10 points above in ELA. The overall quality score of 2.89 out of 4 exceeds the district average of 2.27. However, there's notable variation across grade levels: third and fourth graders perform exceptionally well (Grade 4 math at 91.4%), while fifth grade lags significantly behind (ELA at 51.8%, math at 61.7%), suggesting a potential dip in performance or curriculum alignment in the upper elementary grades that families should investigate.

The school culture data tells a compelling story: 99% of teachers report feeling safe, 98% rate instruction quality as strong, and nearly all families express trust in teachers (97%) and the principal (97%). These are exceptional marks. Perhaps most striking is the discipline record — zero suspensions for three consecutive years. Yet there's a significant tension: chronic absenteeism sits at 65.8%, far above what would be considered healthy, affecting students across all demographic groups. This suggests that while families who are engaged feel very positive about the school, a substantial portion of students are frequently missing school — a pattern that could drag down overall outcomes if unaddressed.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's character: 57% Black, 19% Hispanic, 12% Asian, and notably 7% Native American — a higher Native American enrollment than most Queens schools. The diversity index of 69% and economic need index of 68.1% indicate a working-to-middle-income community. Eighteen percent of students have IEPs, and the school serves pre-K through 5th grade, giving it a true neighborhood-school feel with families who have multiple children coming through the building.

Baisley Park offers a stable, family-dense Queens neighborhood with a homeownership rate of 62.8% and median household income of $83,548 — above the city average. The area scores well on stability (57th percentile) and health environment (86th percentile), though transit access is limited (29th percentile) and safety scores are moderate (55th percentile). Families will find a residential area with access to local parks and shopping along nearby commercial corridors, though a car is helpful for navigating the area.

The neighborhood is primarily residential with tree-lined streets; families from the zoned area typically walk or drive. Transit access is limited compared to more centrally located Queens neighborhoods, so parents should consider transportation logistics, particularly for families relying on public transit.