At a Glance
A high-family-satisfaction elementary school in a working-class neighborhood where math is strong but chronic absenteeism is a concern
Best suited for
Families who prioritize a trusting, family-oriented school community over top academic performance; parents who speak Spanish or want their Hispanic children in a culturally representative setting; families willing to actively address chronic absenteeism challenges; those who value zero-tolerance discipline environments.
Overall Rating
NY State test proficiency
What stands out
- Near-universal parent trust (97% for both teachers and principal)
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years
- Strong math growth — up nearly 30 points since 2022
- Third grade math proficiency at 76.4% — well above district average
- 95% of families report strong relationships with the school
- High family survey response rate (83%) shows engaged parent community
Things to consider
- Chronic absenteeism is extremely high at 76.4% — nearly 4 in 5 students miss too much school
- ELA proficiency (45%) lags significantly behind the district average of 60.7%
- Overall quality score of 2.06/4 is below the district average of 2.46
- Teacher-reported safety (88%) is below the district average of 94.8%
- 80% Hispanic student body may not expose children to diverse peers
- Fifth grade performance (39.3% ELA, 44.4% math) lags behind younger grades
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 30
Among District 30 peer schools — which include highly-rated options like The 30th Avenue School (97/100) and Baccalaureate School for Global Education (96/100) — P.S. 149 does not compete on raw academic metrics. It ranks well below these G&T and screened programs. However, for families prioritizing a nurturing, low-discipline environment with exceptional parent-teacher relationships over top test scores, this school offers something the high-performing peers may not: community warmth and individual attention.
Academics
Test scores at P.S. 149 sit below the District 30 average — 45% ELA versus 60.7% district-wide, and 58.1% math versus 62.2% district-wide. However, the school has shown a strong recovery trajectory after a pandemic dip, particularly in math where scores climbed nearly 30 percentage points since 2022. Third graders perform best, with 76.4% math proficiency, while fifth grade shows the biggest gap with only 44.4% math proficiency. The overall score of 2.06 out of 4 places it below the district average of 2.46.
Culture
The culture here is a real strength. Parent satisfaction hits 94% with near-universal trust in teachers (97%) and the principal (97%), and 95% report strong relationships. Teachers also report high collegial trust (87%) and confidence in leadership (86%). Instruction quality scores 90%. The biggest red flag: chronic absenteeism at 76.4% — far above what's typical, meaning nearly 8 in 10 students miss too much school. That said, discipline is excellent with zero suspensions for three consecutive years, and 88% of teachers report feeling safe.
Community
The student body is 87% Hispanic, reflecting the Jackson Heights neighborhood's large immigrant and Latino population. Eight percent Asian, 2% Black, 3% White. With an economic need index of 79.8% and 19% of students having IEPs, this is a high-need school serving working-class families. The diversity index is low at 30%, meaning the student body is fairly homogeneous — families should know this is a predominantly Hispanic community.
Neighborhood
Jackson Heights is one of Queens' most family-dense neighborhoods (91st percentile) with a strong emphasis on community. The area is transit-accessible and working-class, with a median household income of $72,762 and 39.7% homeownership. The safety score is low (24.5 percentile), which parents should factor in, though teachers report feeling safe at 88%. Families will find the neighborhood immigrant-friendly and rich in cultural resources.
Jackson Heights is a walkable neighborhood with good subway access via the 7, E, F, R, and M lines, and the area has strong pedestrian activity. Families typically walk or take public transit.
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
Historical Trends
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 558 families responded (83% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Economic Need & Special Populations
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Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe earns an overall quality score of 52/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 30 average.
- What grades does P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe serve?
- P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- Is P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe is a public school in NYC Community School District 30.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe in?
- P.S. 149 Christa McAuliffe is in Jackson Heights, Queens.