Rockaway elementary school closing

At least three middle and elementary schools will be shuttered next year for "unacceptable performance," Education Department officials confirmed yesterday.

Middle School 44 on Manhattan's upper West Side will not enroll a sixth-grade class next year and will be phased out within 2-1/2 years, an Education Department spokeswoman said.

A new middle school will replace it starting next year.

Public School 225 in Rockaway Park, Queens, and PS 90 in Morrisania, the Bronx, also will close, sources said.

About 42% of PS 225 students read and 63% did math at grade level.

1 middle, 2 elementary schools getting the ax