School Overview
PS 81, also known as the Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, is a specialized elementary school located in the North Buffalo neighborhood at 140 Tacoma Avenue. As part of the Buffalo Public Schools district, the institution is recognized for its unique thematic approach to education, which integrates culinary arts and hospitality-based learning into the standard academic curriculum. This focus is designed to foster hands-on learning experiences and career-readiness skills from an early age, helping students connect classroom concepts to real-world applications.

Beyond its specialized programming, PS 81 maintains a focus on core academic subjects, social-emotional development, and building a supportive school community. The school benefits from its location in a residential area, often serving as a hub for local families. By emphasizing both academic rigor and professional industry standards, PS 81 aims to prepare its students for middle school transitions while encouraging creativity, teamwork, and a practical understanding of the service industry. For the most current information on curriculum updates, enrollment, or school events, families are encouraged to visit the official Buffalo Public Schools website.
739
Total Students
56.9
Full-Time Teachers
13.0
Student/Teacher Ratio
85.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for PS 81
Demographic Student Count
White123
Hispanic125
Black304
Asian102
Two or More78
American Indian6
Pacific Islander1
  • Black
    304 (41.1%)
  • Hispanic
    125 (16.9%)
  • White
    123 (16.6%)
  • Asian
    102 (13.8%)
  • Two or More
    78 (10.6%)
  • American Indian
    6 (0.8%)
  • Pacific Islander
    1 (0.1%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Phone: (716)816-4060
Website: http://www.buffaloschools.org
Grade Range: Pre-K - 8th
Total Students: 739
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 56.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 13.0
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 630
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 69
Kindergarten 57
Grade 1 80
Grade 2 81
Grade 3 70
Grade 4 60
Grade 5 88
Grade 6 79
Grade 7 78
Grade 8 77

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for PS 81
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten69
Kindergarten57
Grade 180
Grade 281
Grade 370
Grade 460
Grade 588
Grade 679
Grade 778
Grade 877
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for PS 81
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female33945.9%
Male40054.1%
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)