Ps/Middle School 42 R Vernam

Ps/Middle School 42 R Vernam is an elementary and middle school located in Arverne, New York, serving grades PK-8 with 619 students. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of New York elementary schools over the past decade, with low academic performance across all grade levels.

Ps/Middle School 42 R Vernam consistently underperforms the New York City Geographic District #27 and New York state averages on state assessments in English Language Arts and Math. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 28.26% to 61.29% in Math and 28.26% to 55.56% in ELA, compared to the district's 41.83% to 63.16% in Math and 49.25% to 56.42% in ELA. The school's performance is particularly low for English Language Learners, Special Education students, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the school spends a relatively high amount per student, ranging from $21,287 to $34,349 per student in recent years, which is above the district and state averages.

Interestingly, the nearby schools, such as Ps 47 Chris Galas, Wave Preparatory Elementary School, and Waterside Children's Studio School, generally outperform Ps/Middle School 42 R Vernam on academic measures, despite serving similar high-poverty student populations. Exploring the instructional practices, curriculum, and support systems of these higher-performing schools could provide insights to help Ps/Middle School 42 R Vernam improve student outcomes.