P.S. 42 Benjamin Altman

Embracing academic brilliance at PS 42 Benjamin Altman in Lower East Side.

A beacon of knowledge - PS 42 Benjamin Altman, Lower East Side.

Discovering academic wonders at Lower East Side's PS 42 Benjamin Altman.

P.S. 42 Benjamin Altman

Public Pre-K, Elementary School | Grade Pre-K-5

71 Hester St, New York, NY

Chinatown Neighborhood

New York City Geographic District No. 2

4.4

5.0

527 Students

Niche Grade

GreatSchools Rating

The Benjamin Altman School, also known as PS 42, named after a prominent New York City department store mogul and art collector, is a public elementary school that enrolls students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. PS 42 is one of the oldest continually operating elementary schools in the city's public education system, with a motto of “Over 100 Years of Collaboration Excellence.” The majestic, Renaissance Revival-style building that houses the school’s 32 classrooms was built in 1899 and has an auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium and library. The school follows an expanded Common Core curriculum and by the fifth grade, students have mastered key math and science concepts, reading and writing techniques and the core narratives of history and social studies. True to the school’s motto, classes merge and students collaborate for combined study. For example, a unit on architecture included a class field trip, model building and talks from visiting architects. Arts partnerships include Midori and Friends, Studio in the School and the Guggenheim Museum. All students learn to play the recorder in early grades, and second graders are taught swimming at the nearby Chinatown YMCA. Extracurricular activities at PS 42 include soccer, violin, dance and chess.

School Details

Head of School
Principal - Ms. May Lee

Student Teacher Ratio
11:1

Math Proficiency
82%

Reading Proficiency
69%

Academics

A+

Teachers

Source: Niche

Niche Grade Details

Academics

Reading Proficiency

69%

Math Proficiency

82%

Teachers

Student Teacher Ratio

11:1

Teachers

Full Time Teachers

Teachers in First or Second Year

5.5%

Test Scores

Equity

Student Progress

Source: GreatSchools

GreatSchools Rating Details

Student Diversity

Male

53.1%

Female

46.9%

Economically disadvantaged

67.2%

Asian or Pacific Islander

66.2%

Male

53.1%

Female

46.9%

Limited English proficient

22.2%

Hispanic

16.2%

White

9.8%

Black

3.7%

Two or more races

3.7%

Native American

<1%

School Rankings

#17 Niche Standout ES in New York

Source: Niche

Specialty School Programs

Free/Reduced Lunch Offered

This School’s Reviews

5.0 Alum

5/29/2019

I've created a lot of fond memories here, and had a lot of eye opening experiences. I'm currently going to move up to high school soon, and I can still say that I loved this school.

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5.0 parent

5/7/2025

Strong PTA, great curriculum with additional support available to top up in reading and maths where needed. Good after school coverage and my child is always excited to go to school every day!

5.0 parent

7/17/2024

My son enjoys going to school, the teachers are all wonderful. My son improved his knowledge a lot at this school. I recommend this school :)

5.0 parent

3/22/2024

We are very happy with the school. Our son has been there 2 years now and he is always happy to go to school. The teachers and the whole staff are amazing, always friendly and helpful. We are very impressed with how much our son has progressed in various subjects, the teachers are doing an excellent...

5.0 parent

9/18/2022

My 2nd and 4th graders are currently students in PS42 and have been at 42 from pre-k. It is a complete relief to leave my kids in a school that I love and trust. The principal and my son’s 4th grade teacher both went to 42. There’s a special sense of comfort and family that I experienced from the fi...

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Agents Specializing in Attendance Zone

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137 Total Sales

17 in Attendance Zone

$450K - $1.9M Price Range

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Map

Attendance Zone

Explore this Neighborhood Chinatown

Explore Chinatown

List Price Range

$803K - $3.1M

Homes For Sale

Average Home Value

$1,110,601

% Renters

92%

Average Household Income

$73,471

% of College Grads

37.9%

Median Age

Average House Size

5,273 Sq Ft

% Commercial Property

93.7%

Homes for Sale

$719,000

1 Bed
1 Bath
725 Sq Ft

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**All appointments - including Sunday Open Houses - are by appointment only. If you are working with another agent, that agent needs to reach out to make the appointment and is required to be present** **High-Floor 1-Bedroom with Northeastern Views!** This spacious and versatile one-bedroom home is ...

Jacob Goldman

LoHo Realty Inc

(866) 428-9764

$2,600,000

3 Beds
3 Baths
2,100 Sq Ft

208 E Broadway
Unit J405/J406
New 5 days ago

Spanning over 2,100 square feet, this expansive three-bedroom, three full-bathroom residence also includes a flexible fourth room ideal as a home office, den, or guest space. A private balcony framed by lush, leafy trees invites morning coffee, evening breezes, and a quiet connection to nature that ...

Rachel Yohai Compass

$2,600,000

2 Beds
2 Baths
1,467 Sq Ft

50 Orchard St
Unit 7-A
New 5 days ago

Exceptionally Rare. Trophy Home. Welcome to 50 Orchard Street, a boutique luxury condominium in the vibrant Lower East Side. 7A is a full-floor, private, keyed-elevator penthouse offering exceptional privacy and scale. This one-of-a-kind 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home spans 1467 sq...

Doreen Fuentes Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC

$1,990,000

2 Beds
2 Baths
1,268 Sq Ft

50 Orchard St
Unit 7C
New 10 days ago

Boutique luxury in the heart of the Lower East Side's coveted Dimes Square. This sun-drenched, west-facing 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence offers a rare blend of privacy, light, and downtown energy. Arrive via your private elevator landing directly into the home, where dramatic floor-to-cei...

Anna Shagalov Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC

$1,795,000

1 Bed
1.5 Baths
1,176 Sq Ft

84 Forsyth St
Unit 2F
New 15 days ago

Loft 2F at 84 Forsyth Street is a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom master class in authentic downtown loft life. Overlooking Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the home offers a sunny western exposure; below, the humdrum of New York City is alive and well, offering a distinctly Lower East Side tableau that...

Nick Gavin Compass

$1,498,000

2 Beds
2 Baths

387 Grand St
Unit K707
New 22 days ago

Fully renovated 2BR/2BA home in Seward Park Co-op! Expansive living room with two walls of windows including a glass sliding door to your own private balcony! All windows face outward from this prime corner layout. The sleek and stylish kitchen has been opened to the LR and features a dining bar, so...

Jeremy Bolger Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC

$850,000

1 Bed
1 Bath
800 Sq Ft

387 Grand St
Unit K 2002
New 24 days ago

This spacious one bedroom features a full length terrace, sun drenched southwestern exposure, and dramatic views! The kitchen has been opened fully to the living room creating an expansive great room with a wall of windows including large glass sliding doors opening to your own private outdoor space...

Neal Young Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC

$930,000

2 Beds
1 Bath
724 Sq Ft

51 Canal St
Unit 5
New 25 days ago

Manhattan prime central location newly renovated condo for sale .3 bedroom 1 living room. The bedroom ,living room .and bathroom all have windows with great natural light .conveniently located near restaurants .school .and subway station ----everything you need is nearby .An excellent choice for bot...

FengZhen (Cindy) Chen E House Realty & Mgt. Inc.

$1,599,000

1 Bed
1.5 Baths
1,000 Sq Ft

242 Broome St
Unit 8A
New 26 days ago

Experience elevated downtown living at the new Essex Crossing development. This expansive 1,000-square-foot corner one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath new condominium. The residence features floor-to-ceiling, double-pane windows with south- and east-facing exposures, filling the home with exc...

Alan Louie Coldwell Banker Warburg

$825,000

1 Bed
1 Bath

387 Grand St
Unit K1906

Welcome to Residence K1906 at 387 Grand Street in Seward Park, a sun-filled one-bedroom home perched on the 19th floor with an exceptionally long, highly coveted terrace. This expansive outdoor space functions as a true extension of the apartment, perfect for dining, lounging, gardening, and enterta...

Victoria Reichelt Corcoran Group

$1,465,000

3 Beds
2 Baths

385 Grand St
Unit L601

Thoughtfully renovated three bedroom/two bath home in mint condition with custom touches throughout! Modern and stylish with open concept living/dining. Spacious great room with five wrap around windows serving up southeastern & northwestern exposures. Large dining area with space for a 10-seater di...

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$680,000

1 Bed
1 Bath
750 Sq Ft

385 Grand St
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Bright and well-proportioned residence located in the Seward Park Cooperative in the heart of the Lower East Side. This interior unit features a functional layout with generous living space, excellent natural light through oversized windows, and a comfortable separation between living and sleeping a...

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Homes for Rent

$10,370 per month

Condo for Rent
1 Bed
1 Bath

100 Orchard St
Unit SI ID1285739P
New York, NY

The advertised rate of $10,370/month is the lowest available price, based on a 1 month(s) stay with a move-in date of April 4, 2026.Rates vary depending on the duration of stay, season, and other parameters. For exact pricing and additional pricing components, please visit our website and en...

$6,750 per month

1 Bath

54 Eldridge St
Unit STORE
New York, NY

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Joe Mor TRIBRONYC LLC

$4,500 per month

Condo for Rent
2 Beds
1 Bath

13 Essex St
Unit 2
New York, NY

This stunning apartment offers a contemporary open-plan layout, made even more impressive by its high ceilings. The elevated design allows for an abundance of natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and inviting living environment. The apartments sleek finishes and clean lines are perfec...

$4,550 per month

Condo for Rent
2 Beds
1 Bath

13 Essex St
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New York, NY

$2,950 per month

Condo for Rent
1 Bed
1 Bath

210 E Broadway
Unit H1703
New York, NY

The Seward Park community, nestled on the south side of Grand Street, is the gateway to Co-op Village from the west. The towers ring a vast, private locked park, which has been newly landscaped with abundant flowering planters. In the evening its illuminated by charming old-fashioned, arched street ...

$4,300 per month

Condo for Rent
1 Bed
1.5 Baths
500 Sq Ft

74 Forsyth St
Unit SI FL3-ID865
New York, NY

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$21,574 per month

92-94 Ludlow Street-SI ID1285735P
1 Bed
1 Bath

92-94-94 Ludlow St
Unit SI ID1285735P
New York, NY

The advertised rate of $21,574/month is the lowest available price, based on a 1 month(s) stay with a move-in date of April 11, 2026.Rates vary depending on the duration of stay, season, and other parameters. For exact pricing and additional pricing components, please visit our website and e...

$7,450 per month

Condo for Rent
1 Bed
1 Bath
650 Sq Ft

125 Delancey St
Unit SI FL18-ID1733
New York, NY

Show up and start living from day one in New York with this spacious one bedroom Blueground apartment. You’ll love coming home to this thoughtfully furnished, beautifully designed, and fully equipped Lower East Side home. (ID #NYC1733)The advertised rate of $7,450/month is the lowest availab...

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2 Baths
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Unit SI FL19-ID1605
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Show up and start living from day one in New York with this bright two bedroom Blueground apartment. You’ll love coming home to this thoughtfully furnished, beautifully designed, and fully equipped Lower East Side home. (ID #NYC1605)The advertised rate of $8,780/month is the lowest available...

$7,470 per month

Condo for Rent
1 Bed
1 Bath
650 Sq Ft

125 Delancey St
Unit SI FL14-ID1522
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Discover the best of New York, with this one bedroom apartment in Lower East Side with views over the city. It’ll be easy to simply show up and start living in this furnished apartment with its fully equipped kitchen, living room, and our dedicated, on-the-ground support. (ID #NYC1522)The ...

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Condo for Rent
1 Bed
2 Baths

104 Forsyth St
Unit SI ID1013712P
New York, NY

The advertised rate of $6,750/month is the lowest available price, based on a 30 day(s) stay with a move-in date of May 31, 2026.Rates vary depending on the duration of stay, season, and other parameters. For exact pricing and additional pricing components, please visit our website and enter...

$8,020 per month

Condo for Rent
2 Beds
1 Bath
900 Sq Ft

145 Clinton St
Unit SI FL9-ID1495
New York, NY

Show up and start living from day one in New York with this lovely two bedroom Blueground apartment. You’ll love coming home to this thoughtfully furnished, beautifully designed, and fully equipped Lower East Side home with stunning views over the city. (ID #NYC1495)The advertised rate of $8...

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Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools

University Neighborhood High School

9th to 12th
Public

A-

Millennium High School

9th to 12th
Public

PATHWAYS CHILDREN'S SERVICES

1st to 12th
Private

Allen Mall One

Basketball

Hester Street Playground

Columbus Park

Collect Pond Park

Picnic Area
Trails

Forsyth Plaza

Sara D. Roosevelt Park

Additional Neighborhoods in this Area

Little Italy

Historic neighborhood known for its Italian restaurants and Feast of San Gennaro

Search Nearby Neighborhoods

New York New York County New York 10002 Chinatown

P.S. 42 Benjamin Altman is a public school for students in grades Pre-K-5 in New York, NY and is served by the New York City Geographic District No. 2 in New York. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 527 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. Academic records show that 82% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 69% are proficient in reading. P.S. 42 Benjamin Altman has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A and a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10. The average home value in this area is $1,110,601. Discover additional schools in the area, like University Neighborhood High School, Millennium High School, PATHWAYS CHILDREN'S SERVICES, and more. Learn more about what New York has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near P.S. 42 Benjamin Altman.

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Jacob Goldman

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