At a Glance
A neighborhood school with deeply engaged families and strong trust scores, but academics that have slipped below district averages in recent years
Families who prioritize a warm, trusting school community with strong family relationships and are prepared to actively support academic progress at home. This school may be particularly well-suited for families who value the zero-tolerance discipline approach and want a neighborhood school where their child will be known. However, families expecting strong academic performance relative to District 25 averages may want to explore alternatives or plan to supplement learning outside school.
- Exceptional parent trust scores (97% parent-teacher trust, 96% parent-principal trust)
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a remarkably supportive discipline environment
- 100% of families report strong relationships with the school
- Strong teacher-reported safety (97%)
- Diverse student body with 57% Hispanic and 33% Asian representation
- Academic performance trails district averages significantly — ELA at 52% vs district 65%, Math at 54% vs district 70%
- Chronic absenteeism is very high at 68.6%, despite strong parent satisfaction scores
- Teacher-principal trust is notably low at 71%, suggesting leadership challenges
- PTA fundraising below district average may limit enrichment resources
- Test scores have not fully recovered from pandemic-era declines
- Academic performance has declined since pre-pandemic peak
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 25
Among District 25 peer schools, P.S. 129 falls below established peers like The Active Learning Elementary School (92/100), P.S. 079 Francis Lewis (90/100), and P.S. 209 Clearview Gardens (85/100). The school does not currently feature in the top-tier academic rankings for the district. District 25 overall performs above city averages, making P.S. 129's below-average scores stand out more sharply in comparison.
Test scores at P.S. 129 have followed a difficult trajectory — climbing steadily from 2016 to 2019 (ELA from 56% to 64.5%, Math from 64% to 74.8%), then dropping sharply during the pandemic period, with ELA hitting a low of 41.2% in 2024 before partially recovering to 52.2% in 2025. Math shows a similar pattern, now at 54.4% compared to the district average of roughly 70%. The current overall score of 2.13 out of 4 places the school below the District 25 average. Grade-level data shows relatively consistent performance across grades 3-5, with Math stronger in grade 3 (61.5%) but dipping below 50% by grade 5.
The survey data reveals a paradox: families report extremely high trust and satisfaction (97% parent-teacher trust, 94% parent satisfaction, 100% strong relationships), yet chronic absenteeism sits at a concerning 68.6% — well above what you'd expect with such engaged parents. Teacher-reported safety is excellent at 97%, and the school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, teacher-principal trust lags notably at 71%, while teacher collegial trust is strong at 92%. This suggests a disconnect between leadership and staff, even as families feel warmly received. The day-to-day environment appears supportive and safe, but there may be underlying tensions affecting staff morale.
With 1,147 students, P.S. 129 is a larger elementary school with a predominantly Hispanic population (57%), followed by Asian students (33%), white students (8%), and minimal Black and Native American enrollment. The economic need index of 65.1% indicates a significant portion of students face economic challenges. The diversity index of 57% reflects a heterogeneous student body. PTA fundraising of $31 per student is below the district average of $50, suggesting fewer resources for enrichment programs compared to peer schools.
College Point is a quiet, residential Queens neighborhood characterized by single-family homes and a strong sense of community. With a median home value of $855,000 and a homeownership rate of 53%, it's a stable, middle-class area. The safety score of 70 is solid, though transit options are limited (score of 28), meaning most families likely walk or drive. The neighborhood scores low on family density (27.59) and education orientation (44.44), suggesting it's more of a traditional residential area than a highly academic or child-heavy enclave. Asthma rates are somewhat elevated, which parents may want to note.
Given the lower transit score, most families likely walk or drive to this school — the neighborhood is car-friendly with residential streets surrounding the campus
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 421 families responded (41% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin earns an overall quality score of 53/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 25 average.
- What grades does P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin serve?
- P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin?
- P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin is a public school in NYC Community School District 25.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin in?
- P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin is in College Point, Queens.
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