At a Glance
A consistently improving elementary school with sky-high family and teacher trust sitting in a quietly residential Queens neighborhood
Families who want a zoned neighborhood school with strong parent-teacher relationships, improving academics, and a diverse student body — and who are prepared to prioritize getting kids to school consistently despite the high chronic absenteeism rates in the area. Particularly well-suited for families who value a school with zero disciplinary issues and highly trusted leadership over specialized programming.
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — an unusually clean discipline record
- 100% of teachers report feeling safe at work, the highest possible score
- Parent satisfaction (95%) and teacher trust (96%) both significantly exceed district averages
- Math scores have climbed from 50.7% in 2016 to 72.4% in 2025, a 22-point gain
- Chronic absenteeism is very high at 70.9% — families should understand this is a community-wide pattern, not necessarily a school issue
- The school doesn't offer a specialized program — it's a traditional zoned elementary serving K-5
- 3rd grade scores lag behind older grades (61.5% ELA, 69.2% math), suggesting the early grades may need additional support
- No mentioned gifted/talented or magnet programming — families seeking accelerated academics will need to look at district alternatives
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 28
Among peer schools in District 28 (which range from 83-97 on quality scores), P.S. 139 sits solidly in the middle — above average but not among the top performers. Schools like P.S. 196 Grand Central Parkway (97/100) and The Academy for Excellence through the Arts (95/100) edge ahead, while P.S. 139's 2.79 overall score places it roughly between P.S. 121 (85/100) and P.S. 101 (90/100). The school's real advantage isn't raw ranking but the combination of improving academics and exceptional community trust metrics.
Test scores here are solid and improving — both ELA (67.2%) and math (72.4%) exceed the district averages of roughly 62.8% each. Looking at the longer arc, math has nearly jumped 22 percentage points since 2016, and the gains haven't slowed; 2025 shows the highest scores on record. Grade-level breakdown reveals particular strength in 4th grade math (82%) and 5th grade ELA (73.6%), with 3rd grade showing the most room to grow. The overall quality score of 2.79 out of 4 sits above the district average of 2.51, placing this school in the upper tier without being an outlier.
The survey data here is genuinely impressive — parents rate satisfaction at 95%, trust in teachers at 96%, and teachers report feeling completely safe (100%) with strong trust in leadership (94-95%). Instruction quality scores 94%, well above the district average. The discipline record is spotless with zero suspensions across three years running. However, the chronic absenteeism rate of 70.9% is a significant red flag — nearly three-quarters of students are missing significant school time, with Asian students showing the highest rate (80.6%) and Hispanic students the lowest (65.3%). This disconnect between high survey satisfaction and poor attendance suggests the school climate is warm and trusted, but something in the community — health, transportation, family schedules — is keeping kids away.
The student body reflects the neighborhood's diversity: 35% white, 32% Hispanic, 26% Asian, with small Black (3%) and multi-racial (3%) populations. The diversity index of 74% is notably high, and with 56.2% economic need and 19% IEP students, there's meaningful socioeconomic and developmental diversity in the classroom. This isn't a highly segregated suburban-style school — kids here grow up in a genuinely mixed community.
Rego Park is a quietly residential corner of Queens — more working-class stability than trendy, with a median household income of $83,620 and 11.1% poverty. Families with children make up about 18% of households, which is on the lower end, suggesting this is more of a mixed-age community. The education orientation score (69.73) shows a neighborhood that values schools, though safety scores (44.44 percentile) indicate some concern. Transit access is moderate (57th percentile), and there's decent access to outdoor space.
The area is drivable and walkable, with families typically coming from within the zoned area — the school draws from its immediate residential blocks rather than requiring long commutes
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) · 228 families responded (41% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 139 Rego Park a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 139 Rego Park earns an overall quality score of 70/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 28 average.
- What grades does P.S. 139 Rego Park serve?
- P.S. 139 Rego Park serves grades K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 139 Rego Park?
- P.S. 139 Rego Park admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 139 Rego Park public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 139 Rego Park is a public school in NYC Community School District 28.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 139 Rego Park in?
- P.S. 139 Rego Park is in Rego Park, Queens.
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