School Overview
PS 196, also known as the Grand Central Parkway School, is a highly regarded public elementary school located in the heart of Forest Hills, Queens. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school is well-known for its strong academic reputation and its role as a cornerstone of the local community. It consistently maintains a rigorous instructional environment, emphasizing literacy, mathematics, and critical thinking skills, while often benefiting from a high level of parent involvement and an active PTA that supports school initiatives and enrichment programs.

Beyond its academic focus, PS 196 is recognized for fostering a supportive and structured atmosphere that prioritizes the holistic development of its students. The school typically provides a variety of extracurricular activities and arts integration, aiming to create a well-rounded educational experience. Situated in a quiet, residential section of Forest Hills, the school draws a diverse student body and is frequently cited by local families as a premier neighborhood choice for early childhood and primary education within the New York City Department of Education system.
749
Total Students
49.0
Full-Time Teachers
15.3
Student/Teacher Ratio
22.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for PS 196 GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY
Demographic Student Count
White219
Hispanic122
Black11
Asian324
Two or More70
American Indian1
Pacific Islander2
  • Asian
    324 (43.3%)
  • White
    219 (29.2%)
  • Hispanic
    122 (16.3%)
  • Two or More
    70 (9.3%)
  • Black
    11 (1.5%)
  • Pacific Islander
    2 (0.3%)
  • American Indian
    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: NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28
Phone: (718)263-9770
Website: http://www.ps196q.edublogs.org
Grade Range: Pre-K - 5th
Total Students: 749
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 49.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 15.3
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 163
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 4
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 18
Kindergarten 118
Grade 1 125
Grade 2 113
Grade 3 120
Grade 4 117
Grade 5 137
Ungraded 1

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for PS 196 GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten18
Kindergarten118
Grade 1125
Grade 2113
Grade 3120
Grade 4117
Grade 5137
Ungraded1
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for PS 196 GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female36849.1%
Male38150.9%
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)