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.
787
Total Students
49.7
Full-Time Teachers
15.8
Student/Teacher Ratio
21.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for PS 196 GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY
Demographic Student Count
White264
Hispanic115
Black18
Asian324
Two or More61
American Indian3
Pacific Islander2
  • Asian
    324 (41.2 %)
  • White
    264 (33.5 %)
  • Hispanic
    115 (14.6 %)
  • Two or More
    61 (7.8 %)
  • Black
    18 (2.3 %)
  • American Indian
    3 (0.4 %)
  • Pacific Islander
    2 (0.3 %)
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: 787
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 49.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 15.8
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 163
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 4
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 18
Kindergarten 114
Grade 1 119
Grade 2 117
Grade 3 133
Grade 4 159
Grade 5 126
Ungraded 1

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for PS 196 GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten18
Kindergarten114
Grade 1119
Grade 2117
Grade 3133
Grade 4159
Grade 5126
Ungraded1
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for PS 196 GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female38949.4%
Male39850.6%
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)