At a glance
Reported students
574
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
44.23
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
13:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
New York elementary enrollment
78th percentile
Compared with 2,546 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
525
PS 43: 574 reported students.
State peer staffing position
72nd percentile
13:1 reported; state peer median 11.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
What the reported data says about PS 43
PS 43 is a public elementary school serving grades PK–08 in Far Rockaway. It is one of 63 current school records connected to New York City Geographic District #27. NCES reports 574 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,546 elementary schools in New York with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 78th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 13:1, above the New York median of 11.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (53.5%) and Hispanic or Latino (41.5%). These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking PS 43
- 1How do the reported 13:1 student–teacher ratio and 44.23 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3How many counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers currently serve students?
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 92.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.9%
- Hispanic41.5%
- Black53.5%
- Asian1.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.7%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial0.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Other schools in New York City Geographic District #27
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
PS 97 Forest Park
Elementary · Grades PK–05
575 reported students
PS 223 Lyndon B Johnson
Elementary · Grades PK–05
571 reported students
PS 90 Horace Mann
Elementary · Grades PK–05
586 reported students
PS 123
Elementary · Grades PK–05
596 reported students
PS 105 Bay School (The)
Elementary · Grades PK–08
600 reported students
PS 104 Bays Water (The)
Elementary · Grades PK–05
542 reported students
Public schools near PS 43
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse Elementary School Elementary · New York City Geographic District #27 | PK–05 | 157 | 0.3 mi |
| Wave Preparatory Elementary School Elementary · New York City Geographic District #27 | PK–05 | 484 | 0.4 mi |
| Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School Elementary · Charter · Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School | PK–05 | 313 | 0.7 mi |
| Success Academy Charter School-Far Rockaway Elementary · Charter · Success Academy Charter School-Far Rockaway | KG–08 | 728 | 0.9 mi |
| PS 197 Ocean School (The) Elementary · New York City Geographic District #27 | PK–05 | 425 | 1 mi |
| PS 104 Bays Water (The) Elementary · New York City Geographic District #27 | PK–05 | 542 | 1 mi |
Frequently asked questions about PS 43
What grades does PS 43 serve?
PS 43 reports grades PK–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in New York City Geographic District #27.
How many students attend PS 43?
PS 43 reported 574 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 78th percentile among 2,546 New York elementary schools reporting enrollment.
What is the student–teacher ratio at PS 43?
The calculated ratio is 13:1, based on 574 students and 44.23 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The New York median for the same school level is 11.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is PS 43 a public, charter, or magnet school?
PS 43 is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on New York City Geographic District #27 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of PS 43 students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
92.9% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is PS 43 in?
PS 43 is part of New York City Geographic District #27, based in Ozone Park, NY, which operates 63 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near PS 43?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Lighthouse Elementary School (0.3 mi), Wave Preparatory Elementary School (0.4 mi), Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School (0.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.