Community Voices Middle School

Test scores show meaningful improvement from the school's early years — ELA has climbed from 23% in 2016 to nearly 45% in 2025, a near-doubling that reflects sustained academic focus. Math gains have been more volatile, dropping to 8% during the pandemic before rebounding to 32% in 2023, though 2025 shows a dip back to 23%. The school still trails district averages significantly (ELA 44% vs 57%, Math 23% vs 54%), placing it in the lower third of District 29 performers. Grade-level data reveals a steep climb — sixth graders show very low math proficiency (4.7%) while eighth graders reach 32.4%, suggesting the school is making progress but starting from a significant deficit in the early middle school years.

The school presents a mixed picture on climate and engagement. Parent trust metrics are exceptional — 94% trust between parents and teachers, 95% trust in the principal, and 89% overall satisfaction. These numbers suggest families feel heard and valued. However, teacher trust in leadership is lower (80%) and collegial trust among teachers is notably weak at 67%, with only 17 teachers responding to surveys. Attendance is a concern: at 87.9%, it's below the district average, and chronic absenteeism at 54.4% is high — particularly for male students (56%) and Black students (60%). Discipline data shows a troubling trend: suspensions increased from 8-9 annually to 14 in the most recent year, yielding a 5% suspension rate far exceeding the district average of under 1%.

This is a heavily Black-identifying school (82% of students) in a neighborhood that is 64.5% homeowner-occupied with a median home value over $617,000. The student body has high economic need (73%) and more than a quarter receive special education services. The diversity index is low at 37%, reflecting the school's homogeneous demographics. The neighborhood has a relatively low poverty rate (10%) and a moderate family density (48th percentile), suggesting a stable community base.

Springfield Gardens in Queens is a stable, residential neighborhood characterized by single-family homes and a strong homeownership rate. The area scores reasonably well on safety (62nd percentile) and has excellent health environment metrics (82nd percentile), though transit access is limited (18th percentile — families will likely need a car or rely on buses). Education orientation is modest (28th percentile), and the neighborhood has lower density of families with children compared to other parts of the city. There are few parks or transit options nearby, so families should expect driving or busing to most extracurricular activities.

Limited walkability — transit access is weak (18th percentile) and the neighborhood is car-dependent; most families will drive or use bus routes to reach the school