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P.S. 188 Kingsbury

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Staff Pick
218-12 Hartland Avenue
Queens NY 11364
Phone: 718-464-5768

Our Insights

What’s Special

A strong writing program focused on nonfiction; rigorous academics

The Downside

Two separate locations; limited after school program

PS 188 sits in a quiet residential area in a part of Queens that most New Yorkers never see. But word of the school has spread as far as India and China. Principal Janet Caraisco says she occasionally receives calls from overseas families planning a move to New York who want to know how they can make sure their children can attend the well-regarded school.

By most measures, PS 188 is among the top New York City elementary schools. Attendance is high, the school consistently gets strong "As" on its Progress Reports, and well over 90 percent of its student are proficient on math and reading tests,

The school sets rigorous standards and students meet them. "We have high expectations for our students, and parents have high expectations. Put that together and we have a lot of success," said Caraisco, who has been principal since 2004.

Examples of student writing—starting in kindergarten—hang in classroom and hallway. Second-graders are expected to use correct, as opposed to "invented", spelling, at least in work selected for display. Compositions are striking for their neatness, the result of an effort to ensure that children write legibly and that older children can read and write in script.

PS 188 students read and write an increasing amount of nonfiction. Younger students hold forth on subjects they know about—scooters, say, or babies—while older children do research as well.

Along with its high-powered academics, PS 188 offers arts and athletics. Every grade produces an annual show attended by all. There is a full-time art teacher and a music teacher who provide guitars and recorder instruction.Clubs for basketball, art, yearbook and chorus meet during recess.

Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children attend classes in an annex, formerly a parochial school, located a block and a half away from the main building The division creates some problems for staff, but the annex is a welcoming building with a friendly security guard, brightly colored artwork and ample space for English language instruction, dance and gym classes.

Admissions: Almost all students at PS 188 come from its zone. Economic factors and the school's reputation have spurred a growing number of religious school parents to move their kids to PS 188, according to Caraisco, but so far the school has had room for all zoned children in kindergarten, though not in pre-k. There are two classes per grade for students who meet Department of Education guidelines for the District 26 gifted and talented program. If there's a tension in this high-achieving school, it comes from parents who fear that their students may be missing out on something that the gifted students receive—or will be slowed down by working with special ed kids.

After school: There are three fee-based after school programs at PS 188. District 26 has a zoned middle schools and most PS 188 students stay in the district. (Gail Robinson, March 2012; updated via phone, July 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?
81%
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?
89%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
0.6

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?
92%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
88%
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
677
Asian
70%
Black
2%
Hispanic
5%
White
20%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
34%
Students with disabilities
8%
English language learners
9%
Pre-K seats
35

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
96%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
7%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

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?
59%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
39%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
50%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
25%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Hollis (District 26)
Buses: Q27, Q46, Q88, QM5, QM6

Contact

Principal
Christina Figueroa
Parent Coordinator
Myrna Perez Fung

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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