Serving 412 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 25-29% (which is lower than the New York state average of 46%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 25-29% (which is lower than the New York state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the New York state average of 60% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 412 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in NY
- Math Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 70-79% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon's student population of 412 students has grown by 28% over five school years.
The teacher population of 31 teachers has grown by 40% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
412 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
School Rankings
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon ranks within the bottom 50% of all 4,377 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon is 0.61, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3562 out of 4377 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-79%
78%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
American Indian
4%
1%
Asian
5%
10%
Hispanic
47%
30%
Black
41%
16%
White
1%
40%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
90%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon's ranking?
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon is ranked #3562 out of 4,377 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New York.
What schools are P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon often compared to?
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoonis often viewed alongside schools like P.s. 223 Lyndon B Johnson, P.s. 123 by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 46% NY state average), while 25-29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
How many students attend P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon?
412 students attend P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon students are Hispanic, 41% of students are Black, 5% of students are Asian, 4% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon?
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon has a student ration of 13:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon offer ?
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon part of?
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon is part of New York City Geographic District #27 School District.
In what neighborhood is P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon located?
P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon is located in the South Ozone Park neighborhood of Jamaica, NY.
School Reviews
Review P.s. 45 Clarence Witherspoon. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
