The top reported proficiency rate is 84% in Math. The lowest is 74% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ps 242 Leonard P Stavisky Early Childhood School
PS 242 Leonard P Stavisky Early Childhood School is a small public elementary school in Flushing, Queens, serving prekindergarten through third grade. The school sits in a dense, rapidly developing neighborhood characterized by a vibrant Asian commercial center and nearby quiet residential blocks with single-family homes.
The school enrolls a modest number of students across its five grade levels. A substantial majority of the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the surrounding area. The student body is predominantly Asian, with smaller shares of Hispanic, white, Black, and multiracial students. State testing data was reported only for third grade.
In third-grade math proficiency, the school's students performed well, with the majority demonstrating proficiency. English language arts proficiency in third grade was somewhat lower, with about three-quarters of students meeting the standard. Participation in state assessments was very high. When positioned against other schools across Queens County districts, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile, a meaningful strength for an early-childhood-focused school in a high-poverty area.
The school is part of NYC Geographic District 25, which in recent years has undergone significant curriculum changes. Beginning in September 2023, all elementary schools in the district adopted the Into Reading curriculum, a phonics-centered, science-of-reading approach standardized across every building. This replaced the previous model where principals selected their own materials. For families considering this school, this means reading instruction follows a consistent, structured methodology tied to the broader district initiative.
Flushing itself is a neighborhood in transition. Downtown is a dense commercial hub with the fourth largest central business district in New York City, filled with restaurants, shops, and offices, while nearby areas like Murray Hill and Broadway-Flushing consist of tree-lined blocks with larger single-family homes. The neighborhood's population is highly diverse and majority immigrant, with the largest concentrations of Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Thai, and Bosnian residents in the city. The area has been experiencing rapid population and business growth, with major development ongoing along the waterfront and throughout the downtown core. Large institutions like NewYork-Presbyterian Queens anchor employment, and transit connections via the 7 subway and Long Island Rail Road make the area accessible to the rest of the city.
Housing costs in the Flushing zip code are notably elevated compared to state and national benchmarks, reflecting the neighborhood's desirability and development pressure. Single-family homes in residential sub-neighborhoods command substantial prices, while rental costs have also risen. Families drawn to the early childhood focus of this school and the residential character of blocks like Murray Hill should factor in the cost of housing in the area.
Enrollment data for special populations such as English learners and students with disabilities was not available. The school's early grade focus means it has no graduation rate or high school program data, and no attendance or discipline measures were reported. For families evaluating this school, a conversation with administrators about English language support, special education services, and transitions to upper elementary grades in the district would be worthwhile.
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