P.S. 153 Maspeth Elem

P.S. 153 outperforms district averages — 61% ELA vs. 51% district, and 61.7% math vs. 55% district — placing it among the stronger performers in District 24. The school saw a notable jump in 2025, with both subjects rising roughly 10 percentage points from 2024. However, the historical trend shows volatility: ELA has bounced between 50% and 61% over the past decade, with a dip during the pandemic that the school appears to be recovering from. Grade 3 scores are notably strong (68% in both subjects), suggesting early intervention is working, though performance drops in Grade 4 before recovering in Grade 5.

This is a school where relationships clearly come first — 100% of families report strong relationships with teachers, and parent trust in both teachers and principal hits 98%. Teacher-reported safety is exceptionally high at 97%, and the school has logged zero suspensions for the past two years. That said, there's a tension here: while the school culture scores sky-high on trust, chronic absenteeism is a serious issue at 73.7% — far above the district average. This suggests many families may be keeping children home for reasons beyond illness, potentially reflecting health concerns, family obligations, or other barriers the school hasn't yet fully addressed.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographics: roughly 45% Hispanic, 39% White, 14% Asian, and very small Black and Multi-Racial populations. This is a predominantly working-to-middle-class community with an economic need index of 58.7% — meaning more than half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The diversity index of 62% indicates moderate diversity within the school, and nearly 17% of students have IEPs, suggesting robust special education services.

Maspeth is a tight-knit, residential Queens neighborhood known for its quiet streets, local shops, and strong community feel. Median home values are substantial at $783,745, and homeownership rates top 52%, indicating neighborhood stability. The area scores well on safety (68th percentile) and health environment (71st percentile), though transit options are limited (36th percentile) — families are likely car-dependent or rely on buses. With only 23% of households having children, it's not a particularly child-dense area, which may contribute to the school's chronic absenteeism challenges if families feel isolated from peer networks.

Maspeth is relatively car-dependent given its low transit score. Most families likely drive or rely on school buses, though some may walk from the immediate residential area.