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P.S. 191 Mayflower

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Staff Pick
85-15 258 Street
Queens NY 11001
Phone: 718-831-4032

Our Insights

What’s Special

Consistent record of academic achievement

The Downside

Few arts classes

PS 191 is located in a leafy, suburban-like community a few blocks from the Long Island border. Housed in a small red brick building, it draws most of its population from the one-family homes surrounding the school. The building is crowded and arts programs are few in number, but this safe school enjoys good test scores, a positive vibe and few changes in staff. Almost all its graduates attend Irwin Altman Middle School 172.

Like many schools in District 26, PS 191 has growing numbers of immigrant students from India, Pakistan, China and Korea. It has two full-day pre-kindergarten classes that fill quickly and are taught by experienced teachers, according to Michael Ranieri, who has been principal since 2002.

The school is attentive to its newly registered English language learners, who are treated to a welcome breakfast. Translators are brought in for parent meetings, and the staff takes great pains to respect the cultural and religious needs of its students. For instance, during Ramadan, teachers keep track of which students are fasting and therefore may be low on energy during the school day. The school produces a multicultural cookbook and hosts an international day.

A parent-student learning academy offers tutoring assistance once a month in the evening. "If your child is struggling with division you can bring your child in," said Ranieri in a phone interview. "We also have a school app on our phones to reach out to parents."

Though overall enrollment is low for a public elementary school, PS 191 is filled to capacity. With only two floors, the building is quite small, which means classes are large in some grades. "We're not as overcrowded as we were," said Ranieri. "There are no classes over 32."

Part-time teachers help with remediation as well as enrichment, so the many high-achieving students are as likely as struggling ones to get a little extra help to bump them up to the next level. Academic achievement is high overall, particularly in math.

Special classes include art, music, computers, hands-on science, library, student council, senior chorus and recorders. "We would like more money for the artsdance, theater," said the principal. "We only have money for a music teacher two days a week. And no band."

SPECIAL EDUCATION: PS 993, which is part of District 75, the citywide district for children with severe disabilities, houses several classes in the school building. While these classes are overseen by a separate, off-site administration, they participate in school-wide activities with PS 191. For example, one or two are on the basketball team, and students participate in performances and attend events. PS 191 also has its own small classes for children with special needs.

ADMISSIONS: Neighborhood school. The principal urges parents to visit the school if they need help filling out the pre-kindergarten application. "We have people who write down the wrong thing," he said. Families with priority may miss out if the form is filled out incorrectly, he said. (Lydie Raschka, phone interview, July 2015)

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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?
93%
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
20.1

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?
71%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
69%
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
333
Asian
72%
Black
3%
Hispanic
17%
White
5%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
63%
Students with disabilities
18%
English language learners
14%
Pre-K seats
36

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
93%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
27%
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?
53%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
61%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
35%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
15%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Floral Park (District 26)
Buses: Q36, Q43, X68

Contact

Principal
Sabrina Gisone
Parent Coordinator
Maryann Geniti

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares a building with a District 75 program, PS Q993

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

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