Growing Up Green Charter School II

ELA proficiency at 52.4% places this school about 10 percentage points below the Queens District 28 average of 62.8%, but the trajectory tells a more hopeful story — the school has gained roughly 20 percentage points in ELA since 2022. Math proficiency at 38.8% is a different picture: it dropped from 45% in 2024 and sits nearly 24 points below the district average. Grade-level data reveals a stark split — younger students (Grades 3-4) perform strongly with math proficiency near 68-69%, while middle school math dips into the 20s and 30s. The school overall score of 1.82 out of 4 is below the district average of 2.51, reflecting the uneven performance across subjects and grades.

Survey data reveals a school where families feel well-connected but staff safety perception lags. Parent satisfaction sits at 92%, and trust metrics are exceptional: 95% of parents trust the principal, 93% trust teachers. Teacher instruction quality scores 90%, and teachers report strong collegial trust at 90%. However, only 70% of teachers report feeling safe at school — this is notably below the district average of 93% and represents a meaningful gap between parent experience and staff experience. Chronic absenteeism at 67.9% is extremely high, affecting across all demographic groups (Hispanic students at 70.7%, the highest). Attendance rate of 91.4% barely matches the district average despite the high chronic absence rate, suggesting many students attend sporadically.

With 648 students across grades K-8, the school is majority Black (50%) with substantial Hispanic enrollment (27%). Asian students make up 15%, while white and multiracial students represent a small slice at 3% combined. The economic need index of 65.3% indicates a high-need population — most students come from families facing financial hardship. Yet the diversity index of 71% is above average, and the community skews younger and more economically diverse than the surrounding Jamaica Hills-Briarwood neighborhood (median income $84K, 44% with BA+). The school draws from a broader demographic base than the neighborhood itself.

Jamaica Hills-Briarwood is a residential Queens neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes and apartments, moderate walkability, and access to some green space. The area scores poorly on safety (47th percentile) and transit (28th percentile), with a crime density index above 1,300 and elevated asthma rates (54.6 per 1,000). However, it has stronger education orientation (55th percentile) and family stability (55th percentile). Median home values top $612K, and homeownership rates at 40% suggest a stable, though not highly affluent, community. Families should know the neighborhood has some environmental health concerns (elevated PM2.5 and lead risk).

The area is moderately walkable with some transit options, though families often drive given the lower transit score — parking can be a factor during school hours