At a Glance
A universal pre-K center in South Jamaica offering early childhood education in a community-focused setting
Families seeking universal pre-K (UPK) for their 3 or 4-year-old children in the South Jamaica area who are comfortable with the neighborhood's characteristics and primarily need early childhood programming before transitioning to a separate elementary school.
- Universal pre-K (UPK) site offering free pre-K for all eligible 4-year-olds
- 3K program for 3-year-olds
- Early childhood focus with age-appropriate curriculum and classroom environments
- Located in South Jamaica — a neighborhood with strong Caribbean cultural roots and community identity
- This is a pre-K only — the school does not serve grades K-5, so families will need to apply to a separate elementary school
- Very limited survey data (only 3 teacher responses) makes climate assessment unreliable
- No academic proficiency data available since standardized testing begins in grade 3
- Neighborhood safety score (49.04) is below median — families should visit the area and feel comfortable with the surroundings
- No athletic or extracurricular programs typical of K-12 schools — programming is developmentally appropriate for 3-4 year olds
- Environmental health indicators (lead, asthma rates) in the area are elevated and may be a consideration for families with health concerns
Based on 2025 data
School SummaryDistrict
Afro-American #4 operates as an early childhood center within NYC Department of Education's pre-K framework. In Queens, pre-K programs compete for seats through the centralized NYC pre-K application process. This school's positioning within South Jamaica provides access to early education in a neighborhood where affordable pre-K options are valuable to working families.
As a pre-K center, Afro-American #4 does not administer state standardized tests in reading and math. Early childhood education focuses on social-emotional development, school readiness, and foundational skills rather than proficiency metrics. The school follows the pre-K curriculum standards set by the NYC Department of Education for 3-year-olds (3K) and 4-year-olds (pre-K).
Survey data is extremely limited with only 3 teacher responses, making it difficult to assess overall school climate with confidence. Teacher surveys typically measure trust, safety, and instruction quality, but the minimal response rate means any findings would not be statistically representative. Parents interested in the school's environment should schedule a visit to observe classroom dynamics and speak with staff directly.
South Jamaica is a predominantly Black and Caribbean neighborhood in central Queens with a working-class to middle-class demographic. The neighborhood has a 17.8% college-educated population and 46.3% homeownership rate. As a pre-K center, the school's community is primarily made up of families with young children ages 3-4 seeking early childhood programming. The school name suggests a cultural focus, though specific program details would need to be confirmed through a school visit.
South Jamaica is a residential neighborhood in central Queens with moderate walkability and access to local shops along Jamaica Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard. The neighborhood has a safety score of 49.04 (below median), which is something families should consider. Transit access is moderate with bus service connecting to the subway lines at Jamaica Center. The area has several parks and community resources, though it is not as transit-rich as neighborhoods closer to Manhattan. Environmental health indicators show some concern with lead elevated rates at 17.1% and asthma emergency department rates at 54.6 per 1,000 — both above ideal levels.
Families typically walk or drive to this location. The neighborhood has mixed walkability — some blocks are pedestrian-friendly near commercial corridors, while others require a car for convenient access. Parking availability varies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Afro-American #4 a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Afro-American #4 yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 3-K to Pre-K in South Jamaica.
- What grades does Afro-American #4 serve?
- Afro-American #4 serves grades 3-K to Pre-K.
- How do students get into Afro-American #4?
- Afro-American #4 admits through the NYC 3-K and Pre-K application.
- Is Afro-American #4 public, charter, or private?
- Afro-American #4 is a public school.
- What neighborhood is Afro-American #4 in?
- Afro-American #4 is in South Jamaica, Queens.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.