P.S. 143 Louis Armstrong

Test scores at P.S. 143 are well below the District 24 average — 23.4% in ELA versus 51% district-wide, and 32.5% in Math versus 55% district-wide. The school earned an overall score of 1.12 out of 4, placing it near the bottom of district performance. Historically, scores had improved from 2016 to 2019 (ELA rising from 16% to 26%, Math from 24% to 30%), then dropped sharply during the pandemic (ELA hit 14% in 2022). The most recent 2025 scores show recovery to pre-pandemic levels in math (32.5%) and near-recovery in ELA (23.4%), though still significantly below district averages. Grade 5 performs best, reaching 31% ELA and 36% math proficiency.

The survey data tells a striking story: parents and teachers rate this school almost perfectly across every dimension. Parent satisfaction sits at 97%, and trust metrics between families and teachers (99%), families and the principal (99%), and teachers and leadership (99%) are exceptional. Teachers report 97% safety and 96% collegial trust. Yet the attendance picture is concerning — while the raw attendance rate of 92.4% is near district average, chronic absenteeism is staggeringly high at 72.6%, with particularly severe rates among Asian students (85%) and Hispanic students (74%). The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years, indicating a restorative or supportive approach to discipline. The disconnect between survey satisfaction and chronic absenteeism suggests families value the school culture but face external barriers to attendance.

P.S. 143 is a large elementary school with 1,389 students, nearly all of whom are Hispanic (95%), with tiny Asian (2%), Black (2%), and White (1%) populations. The diversity index is very low at 14%, reflecting the neighborhood's homogeneous makeup. With 86% economic need and 19% of students receiving special education services, this is a high-need population. The class size of 24.5 matches the district average. PTA fundraising of $21 per student is slightly below the district average of $32, suggesting modest but present family involvement.

North Corona is a densely populated, family-oriented neighborhood in Queens with a poverty rate of 16.5% and a median household income of $77,536. Only 9.5% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and homeownership is low at 23%. The area scores very low on education orientation (20 out of 100) and safety (28 out of 100), though family density is exceptionally high at 86. There are environmental health concerns: elevated lead rates (12.6%) and high asthma rates (54.6 per 1,000). Transit access is moderate at 42. Families in this neighborhood are primarily working-class, and the school serves as a stable community anchor.

Given the neighborhood's high family density (86th percentile) and moderate transit scores, many families likely walk or take short bus rides. The area is residential with mixed-use corridors, so foot traffic is common, though safety concerns in the neighborhood may influence how children travel.