Cynthia Jenkins School

Test scores at Cynthia Jenkins have nearly doubled over three years — ELA climbed from 22.6% to 54.6% and Math from 16.9% to 46.8% between 2022 and 2025. That's a dramatic improvement, though both subjects still fall slightly below the District 29 averages (56.9% ELA, 53.7% Math). The school rates 2.03 out of 4 overall, compared to the district average of 2.21. Looking at grade-level performance, third graders are performing strongest with 61.9% ELA and 68.1% Math proficiency, while fifth grade math drops to 28.6% — a notable gap suggesting math instruction may need strengthening in the upper grades.

This is a school where families feel heard and teachers feel supported. Parent satisfaction hits 94%, with nearly universal trust in both teachers (97%) and the principal (98%). Every single parent surveyed reported 'strong relationships' with the school — an extraordinary finding. Teachers rate instruction quality at 94% and report 98% safety. The trade-off: chronic absenteeism sits at 58.5% (notably higher than the district average), which may be dragging down overall performance even as scores climb. Notably, there have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a rare achievement that speaks to a restorative or relationship-based approach to discipline.

Cynthia Jenkins serves 279 students in a PK-5 zoned school with a demographics profile that mirrors its surrounding neighborhood: 88% Black, 8% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% Native American. The economic need index is high at 73.5%, meaning nearly three-quarters of students come from low-income households. About 19% of students have IEPs. The student body is notably homogeneous compared to the diversity index of 26%, reflecting St. Albans' own demographic character as a predominantly Black, working-to-middle-class community with high homeownership (74.7%).

St. Albans is a settled, residential Queens neighborhood known for its tree-lined blocks, high homeownership rate (74.7%), and relative economic stability (median household income of $97,911, poverty rate just 9.2%). It's not a transit-rich area — the transit score of 38.7 reflects limited subway access, meaning most families will drive or bus. The neighborhood scores highly on stability (97.32) and health environment (84.67), with a moderate safety score (65.13). Families describe it as a place where people put down roots; the 74.7% homeownership rate confirms that. There are parks and family-oriented blocks, though it's more suburban in feel than Manhattan or inner Queens.

This is a car-dependent area. Families without vehicles should factor in bus routes and travel time, as the neighborhood lacks easy subway access. The school sits in a residential area where walking is pleasant but distances to transit hubs can be significant.