P.S. 165 Edith K. Bergtraum

P.S. 165 runs ahead of the District 25 curve with 67.6% ELA proficiency and 71.6% math proficiency, both above the district averages of 64.9% and 69.6% respectively. Math scores have climbed steadily over the past three years, from 63.9% in 2022 to 73.2% in 2024 before settling at 71.6% in 2025 — a strong upward trend that reflects consistent instructional focus. ELA proficiency is more variable, dipping notably in 2022 during pandemic recovery before rebounding to 67.6% in 2025, still outpacing most peers. The overall quality score of 2.78 out of 4 sits modestly above the district average of 2.69, with 4th and 5th graders performing notably stronger than 3rd graders in both subjects.

The survey data tells a nuanced story: parents absolutely trust this school — 97% parent-teacher trust and 95% principal trust are extraordinary — and 91% of teachers report high instruction quality. However, teacher-principal trust sits at a concerning 47%, which is notably below citywide averages and suggests tension between staff and leadership that families may not directly perceive. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years, and 87% of teachers report feeling safe. Attendance is the biggest red flag: while the overall rate is 92.3%, chronic absenteeism at 73.9% is exceptionally high — meaning roughly three-quarters of students miss at least 10% of the school year. This affects academic performance and community cohesion.

With 656 students across pre-K through 5th grade, P.S. 165 is a mid-sized elementary school with a diversity index of 75%. The student body is 49% Asian, 22% Hispanic, 15% Black, and 9% White, reflecting the multicultural fabric of Kew Gardens Hills. Twenty-two percent of students have IEPs, and 63.6% qualify for free or reduced lunch — a meaningful economic need that the school serves. PTA fundraising is minimal at just $1 per student ($882 total), well below the district average of $49.64 per student, suggesting fewer enrichment fundraisers or optional programs funded by families.

Kew Gardens Hills is a stable, middle-income Queens neighborhood with a 12.1% poverty rate, 52.5% homeownership, and a median household income of $84,747 — all suggesting economic stability. The neighborhood scores 67.05 on education orientation, indicating a moderately family-dense area with academic expectations. Safety scores are moderate (55.56 percentile), and the area has decent access to parks and neighborhood retail. The area's 48.2% BA+ education rate among adults signals a community that values schooling.

The neighborhood is walkable with good street accessibility, and many families in this area walk or drive their children to school given the moderate transit score.