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P.S. 205 Alexander Graham Bell

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Staff Pick
75-25 Bell Boulevard
Queens NY 11364
Phone: 718-464-5773

Our Insights

What’s Special

Small school with lively science program

The Downside

Limited special education services

Small classes, supportive parents, and experienced teachers combine to make PS 205 a successful neighborhood school. Classrooms are cheerful and well-equipped and the school has a lively science program.

Its a small school, and we reach all of our kids, said Karen Scott-Piazza, principal since 2008. No one gets lost. I know every child. I know all their families. The school is small enough that everyone can eat lunch at oncerather than having staggered lunch periods, as is common at larger schools. Classes range in size from 24 to 27.

Scott, formerly assistant principal at MS 158, was a math major in college, and the school has a well thought-out approach to math instruction. There is a good balance between lessons that focus on arithmetic drills and those that stress a conceptual understanding of math.

Reading and social studies are integrated as part of the Core Knowledge curriculum. Children may read books on topics such as Aesops Fables, Greek mythology, Westward Expansion or the human body.

A full-time science teacher offers classes once or twice a week to all grades. In a project called Tomatosphere, children grow tomato seeds that the Canadian Space Agency prepares in conditions designed to simulate those on a trip to Mars. PS 205 is one of several thousand schools that contribute data to the space agencys project studying the feasibility of growing edible plants on long journeys in space.

Twice a year, 5th graders go to Alley Pond Environmental Center. They may bring back tadpoles and watch them grow into frogs, or look at water samples under a microscope to learn what makes a healthy pond.

Children have computer lessons once a week and music twice a week. There is no full-time art teacher, although visiting artists from Studio in a School work on art projects with the children.

Special education: The school offers Special Education Teacher Support Services and has a part-time speech therapist but other services are limited.

Admissions: PS 205 is a zoned, neighborhood school. (Clara Hemphill, October 2013)

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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?
100%
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?
100%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
14.2

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?
87%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
79%
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
234
Asian
53%
Black
4%
Hispanic
18%
White
16%
Other
9%
Free or reduced priced lunch
33%
Students with disabilities
14%
English language learners
7%
Pre-K seats
34

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
96%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
11%
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?
60%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
33%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

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

Contact

Principal
Karen Piazza
Parent Coordinator
Lilly Chu

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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