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P.S. 166 Henry Gradstein

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Staff Pick
33-09 35 Avenue
Queens NY 11106
Phone: 718-786-6703

Our Insights

What’s Special

Strong administration and established, successful dual language program

The Downside

Little outdoor play time, and a dingy courtyard for an outside play area

PS 166, a large, stable and thriving school on the border of Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, offers a highly regarded Spanish/English dual-language program and a district-wide gifted and talented program, in addition to strong general education classes in each grade. Although the school is large and has several different programs in operation, there is a strong sense of community. Teachers cheerfully greet one another in the hall, and many know and connect with students beyond those in their classes. Every morning the entire school stops what they're doing for a lively, two-minute dance or jumping-jack "fitness break."

A nice mix of Asian, Hispanic, White and Black students reflects the neighborhood's demographics. It is a rich soup where students and their families speak many different languages at home, and children whose parents are Bengali mix easily with children from Central and South America. Generally, the individual classes reflect the school's overall ethnic make-up, although the gifted classes, which admit students from throughout the district, have more White and Asian students and fewer Hispanics than the school as a whole.

The two full-time pre-k classrooms are bright with play kitchens, reading nooks, blocks and other stations. The students work on art projects together, designed to encourage communication and collaboration. Although some pre-k students continue into kindergarten at PS 166, the admission process is separate and they are not guaranteed a spot.

The school relies on scripted reading and math programs (ReadyGen and GoMath, supplemented with manipulatives), but most classrooms we observed had a vibrant dynamic. For instance, kindergartners eagerly worked on poetry notebooks, sharing comments with one another. In an integrated co-teaching class, 5th-graders working on math sheets appeared alert and interested as teachers moved among them checking-in and discussing concepts. In a lively dual-language class, a Spanish-speaking student led her classmates through an active lesson that included dancing. The students were delighted and attentive.

The school is large—almost 1,200 students—and classes can be big. Hallways bustle as pupils move in loose lines from their classrooms to gym, music or other specials. The atmosphere, though, feels active and friendly rather than crowded and hurried. For instance, a 2nd-grade teacher sang "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" brightly, keeping her students' focus as they walked back to the classroom; students from other classes streamed past happily. The full-size gym was busy but organized as two classes divided the space for different activities.

Jessica Geller has been principal since 2011 and was previously at the school for nine years as an assistant principal and teacher. She is optimistic and upbeat about the school. There is little turnover in staff—and Geller is proud that the teachers who come to PS 166 tend to make a career there.

PS 166's dual language program is in its 10th year, making it one of the most established in the city. It is a point of pride for the administration. There are two dual language classes on each grade, and the administration hopes to add a third kindergarten class in 2016. The students alternate classrooms, languages (Spanish/English), and teachers each day. Their lessons are consecutive but taught in Spanish one day, English the next. The program's supervisor said that most students who begin the program stick with it throughout their years in elementary school. Additionally, a nearby middle school has recently added a Spanish/English dual language program so PS 166's students will be able to continue their dual language education.

The PTA is very active and pays for several enrichment programs such as theater, 3rd-grade chess and ballroom dancing. The PTA also sponsors an indoor recess program for cold or rainy days. There are two on-site after-school programs.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: There are three small, self-contained classrooms for students with significant needs covering grades k-5. Except for 4th grade, each grade has an ICT class with two teachers and a mix of special education and general education students.

ADMISSIONS: Neighborhood school. Admissions for the district G&T program is based on the citywide assessment process. Call the school for information about admissions to the dual language program. (Elizabeth Daniel, January 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?
97%
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?
95%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
10.6

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?
73%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
66%
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
777
Asian
25%
Black
4%
Hispanic
39%
White
27%
Other
5%
Free or reduced priced lunch
61%
Students with disabilities
14%
English language learners
17%
Pre-K seats
31

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
93%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
24%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

This school offers Dual Language classes in Spanish.

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?
30%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
15%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
29%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
20%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Astoria (District 30)
Trains: N Line, W Line to 36 Ave-Washington Ave; M Line, R Line to Steinway St
Buses: Q101, Q102, Q104, Q66

Contact

Principal
Jessica Geller
Parent Coordinator
Milagros Diaz

Other Details

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

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

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