PS 71 FOREST

PS 71 FOREST is an elementary-level community of mid-tier scale in RIDGEWOOD, New York, operated by NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24, educateing 468 students in grades pre-K through 5.

PS 71 FOREST is one of 57 schools operated by NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24, a district that hosts 48,008 students overall.

Demographically, PS 71 FOREST reports that the largest single group is Hispanic, at 66% of enrollment; the rest is composed of 26% White, 6% Asian. The wider county runs roughly 28% Hispanic, putting the school's mix noticeably more Hispanic than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, PS 71 FOREST has 33 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 14.2:1. The state averages around 12.8:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. About 80% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy.

Adjusting for the school's free-and-reduced-lunch share, PS 71 FOREST tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 45.5% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 45.5%.

Across the wider county, census data for Queens County shows median household earnings sit near $86,136, about 36% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. PS 71 FOREST is one of 392 public schools in Queens County (combined enrollment of about 268,205 students).

ACE ACADEMY FOR SCHOLARS AT THE GERALDINE FERRARO CAMPUS is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.2 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts PS 71 FOREST at 4th of 8; the average score across the group is 47.4%.

The campus sits in a metropolitan setting.

Looking at the recent track record. PS 71 FOREST's enrollment has edged down 38% since 2018, when it stood at 757 (now 468). Over the same period, the Hispanic share ticked up from 57% to 66%. Class-load math has loosened: from 12.0:1 in 2018 to 14.2:1 in 2025.

On this page, the feed for PS 71 FOREST typically covers school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.