P.S. 223 Lyndon B. Johnson

Test scores at P.S. 223 have been a rollercoaster — rising from the mid-20s in 2016 to the low-30s by 2019, then falling during the pandemic years to the low-20s, and now rebounding to 36% in both ELA and math. That's still well below the district averages of 56% ELA and 57% math, meaning students are catching up rather than leading. Grade 5 performs strongest in ELA (43%) while Grade 4 excels in math (46%), suggesting some grade-level pockets of strength. The overall score of 1.45 out of 4 puts this school in the lower tier of District 27.

If you're looking for a school where families and teachers genuinely trust leadership, this is it: 96% parent-teacher trust, 97% parent-principal trust, and 100% of families report strong relationships. Teachers report 98% safety and 95% instruction quality. The discipline record is exemplary — zero suspensions for three straight years. However, there's a significant crack: chronic absenteeism sits at a alarming 43.8%, nearly double the district average. Female students (50.4%), Asian students (53.8%), and Native American students (68.6%) miss school at particularly high rates. This suggests a disconnect between how families feel about the school and whether they actually send their children consistently.

With 478 students, P.S. 223 is a mid-sized elementary that reflects the neighborhood's diversity: half Black, about a fifth Hispanic, 16% Asian, and notably 11% Native American — one of the higher Native American populations in Queens schools. The diversity index of 75% is strong, and 69% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating real economic need. The PTA raised only $10 per student ($4,564 total), far below the district average of $121 per student, suggesting fewer resources for enrichment programs.

Baisley Park is a residential neighborhood in southeastern Queens with a high homeownership rate (63%) and median home values around $550,000. It's a family-oriented area, though only 18% of households have children — suggesting many residents are older couples or empty nesters. The neighborhood scores poorly on transit (29 out of 100) and education orientation (36), meaning it's not particularly walkable to subway lines and doesn't have a strong culture of nearby schools or educational resources. Safety scores are moderate (55), and the health environment shows concerns around asthma rates and lead exposure.

Baisley Park is car-dependent for most families — transit options are limited, and the area scores low on walkability. Families likely drive or take buses, which adds commute time for those coming from further afield.