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.
737
Total Students
57.2
Full-Time Teachers
12.9
Student/Teacher Ratio
85.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for PS 81
Demographic Student Count
White150
Hispanic121
Black303
Asian83
Two or More70
American Indian8
Pacific Islander1
  • Black
    303 (41.2 %)
  • White
    150 (20.4 %)
  • Hispanic
    121 (16.4 %)
  • Asian
    83 (11.3 %)
  • Two or More
    70 (9.5 %)
  • American Indian
    8 (1.1 %)
  • 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: 737
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 57.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 12.9
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 630
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 68
Kindergarten 70
Grade 1 71
Grade 2 63
Grade 3 73
Grade 4 78
Grade 5 77
Grade 6 76
Grade 7 82
Grade 8 78
Ungraded 1

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for PS 81
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten68
Kindergarten70
Grade 171
Grade 263
Grade 373
Grade 478
Grade 577
Grade 676
Grade 782
Grade 878
Ungraded1
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for PS 81
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female33645.6%
Male40054.3%
Not Specified10.1%
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)