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P.S. 173 Fresh Meadows

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Staff Pick
174-10 67 Avenue
Queens NY 11365
Phone: 718-358-2243

Our Insights

What’s Special

Dual language Mandarin program, lots of small group instruction

The Downside

Large classes

PS 173 is a bustling, high-performing school with a sprawling building that feels like a suburban campus. The school has classes in technology, the arts and instrumental music, as well as a dual language program designed to make children fluent in English and Mandarin.

"This school challenges every single child, says longtime principal Molly Wang. She says students are happy to come to school, even on Saturday (when there are classes for children learning English, those in the dual language program, and those who need extra help). While that might raise eyebrows, the children of PS 173 seem exceptionally enthusiastic and are eager to discuss their school with a visitor.

Expectations are clear, and there are frequent assessments to make sure children are making progress. "They know what they're supposed to do and they know what they're supposed to do if they get stuck," a teacher explained.

Classes have as many as 32 children, but small group instruction ensures they get the attention they need. While the teacher works with one group, other children may work on their own, with one another, or with another adult. Children help their classmates, which a 2nd-grade teacher said "makes them feel important.

Beginning in 1st grade, there is one dual language class of 25 pupils on each grade. Parents apply at the end of kindergarten, and children are chosen by lottery; half are English-speakers and half are Mandarin-speakers. Children have instruction from two teachers, one who speaks English and one who speaks Mandarin. By the end of 1st grade, children are comfortable in both languages. "I'm amazed at how much they absorb and remember," Wang says. To help with the challenge, the dual language students go toSaturday Academy at PS 173 and every student receives a computer program to use at home.

In addition, some Chinese-speakers are assigned to regular English-only classes in which they receive extra help from a teacher certified in English as a second language.

PS 173 stresses writing, and has long used the reading and writing program developed at Columbia University Teachers College.

Two science teachersone for kindergarten and 1st grade and one for the older childrenuse a well-equipped science room for hands-on activities. Science seems particularly popular with the students who say the classes are fun but, one hastened to add, "not just fun. We also learn stuff." A technology teacher works with students in all grades, teaching computer coding to 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-graders.

The school has a full-time music teacher and an orchestra and glee club. Children also take visual art, culminating in a May exhibition of art by children in all grades.

A very active PTA helps the school raise money for some of these activities and technological improvements.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: PS 173 has self-contained classes for students with disabilities as well as team teaching classes with special education and general education in every grade. It is taking a close look at special education, partly because, while the school as a whole scores above the city average on state standardized tests, its special education students score below the city average.

ADMISSIONS: Zoned school. Application to the dual language program is limited to children who attended kindergarten at the school. (Gail Robinson, March 2016)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
94%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
87%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
2.0

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
78%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
69%
50% Citywide Average

What is the Pre-K like?

From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020

Instruction: Teachers ask kids to explain their reasoning when they solve problems
Activities: Children explore art, music, sand/water, dramatic play and more
Language: Teachers talk and listen to kids in a supportive way
Interaction: Teachers ask kids good questions and invite back-and-forth conversation

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
937
Asian
61%
Black
1%
Hispanic
15%
White
19%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
67%
Students with disabilities
16%
English language learners
15%
Pre-K seats
36

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
95%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
18%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

This school offers Dual Language classes in Chinese.

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
42%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
30%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
60%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
19%
12% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Flushing (District 26)
Buses: Q17, Q30, Q31, Q65

Contact

Principal
Danielle Tweedy
Parent Coordinator
Jean Mendler

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

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