P.S. 65 - The Raymond York Elementary School

Test scores here have been on a rollercoaster — math peaked at 60.3% in 2019, cratered to 37.2% in 2022, then rebounded to 63.8% in 2025, now outpacing the district average of 57.3%. ELA recovery has been slower, sitting at 55.9% (roughly matching the district's 56.1%), and the school shows a notable gap between strong 4th grade math (73.8%) and weaker 5th grade math (53.6%). The overall 2.39/4 score edges above the district average of 2.27, placing the school in solid but not standout territory among Queens District 27 peers.

This is where P.S. 65 really shines. Parent satisfaction hits 93%, and trust metrics are extraordinary: 97% parent-teacher trust, 97% parent-principal trust, and 100% of families report strong relationships with the school. Teachers are equally bullish — 100% rate instruction quality as strong, 97% feel safe, and 99% report collegial trust. The discipline picture is pristine: zero suspensions for the past two years. But there's a tension: chronic absenteeism sits at 62.4%, far above healthy levels, suggesting some families struggle with consistent attendance despite reportedly positive school relationships.

The school reflects Ozone Park's demographic tapestry: 43% Asian, 38% Hispanic, 8% Native American, and 5% each Black and White. The diversity index of 70% is solid, and with 70.1% economic need index, this serves a community with meaningful socioeconomic challenges. Class sizes average 23.4 — identical to the district — and 16% of students have IEPs. The surprisingly low PTA fundraising ($0 per student, against a district average of $121) suggests either limited parent capacity or a different fundraising model.

Ozone Park is a working-to-middle-class neighborhood in central Queens with a strong education orientation (92 percentile) but relatively low family density (35 percentile). Median home values are $696K, homeownership is high at 58%, and poverty is low at 9.4% — suggesting stable, established families. Safety scores (59 percentile) are moderate, and transit access (52 percentile) is decent but not exceptional. The area has an elevated asthma rate and some environmental concerns (lead, PM2.5), worth noting for families with respiratory sensitivities.

Ozone Park is a car-friendly neighborhood — families typically drive or use the few bus lines that connect to the A train and other transit. Walkability is moderate; parents often shuttle kids given the suburban feel of the area.