Civic Leadership Academy

Test scores aren't provided in this data release, so I can't directly compare this school's ELA and math performance to the district averages. However, the program offerings are solid — AP courses, humanities concentration, and world languages including French and Spanish — with a program richness score of 90/100. Teacher instruction quality scores at 87%, slightly below the district average of 92%, which is worth noting but should be weighed against the exceptionally high trust scores throughout the building.

This is where Civic Leadership Academy really stands out. The survey numbers are extraordinary: 99% parent-teacher trust, 99% parent-principal trust, 97% teacher-principal trust. Those aren't just good — they're among the highest in the city. Teachers report strong collegial trust at 91%. There's also a 76% family survey response rate, which is impressively high and suggests parents are genuinely engaged, not just ticked off. The school has logged zero suspensions — well below the district average of 0.175% — indicating effective behavior management without exclusionary discipline. Combined with 24.5 average class size (matching the district average), the day-to-day feel seems collaborative and grounded in trust.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (73%), with significant Asian representation (16%) and very low Black and White enrollment (4% each). This mirrors the Elmhurst neighborhood, which is working-class, majority-immigrant, and one of the most densely family-oriented areas in the city (family density score: 93.1). The diversity index sits at 45%, reflecting a relatively homogeneous student population — which is typical for this neighborhood but worth noting for families seeking more racial diversity. Seventeen percent of students have IEPs, and the school offers solid ELL support, indicating they're serving multilingual learners well.

Elmhurst is a bustling, transit-rich corner of Queens with excellent subway access (63.22 transit score) and one of the highest family density scores in the city (93.1). It's an immigrant-heavy neighborhood where 30% of adults have a BA or higher, yet median household income sits at $68,354 — solidly middle-class, not affluent. The safety score is low (25.67), which is a real factor families should consider. There's good access to parks and the neighborhood has a strong community feel, but it's densely built-up and urban. Homeownership is only 26.6%, meaning most families here are renting — consistent with the high economic need at the school.

Elmhurst is highly walkable and well-served by multiple subway lines, making it accessible without a car. However, the area is densely trafficked, and parents should consider typical urban walkability challenges — busy intersections, limited parking if driving.