I.S. 072 Rocco Laurie

Test scores at Rocco Laurie show a school performing roughly at district averages — ELA at 59% versus the district's 61.3%, math at 63.1% versus 61%. The story is in the trends: math has climbed dramatically from just 40% in 2016 to over 63% now, a genuine improvement trajectory. ELA has been bumpier, peaking at 64% in 2022 then settling back to current levels. Grade 7 performs strongest in both subjects (60.9% ELA, 68.7% math), while Grade 6 lags slightly behind. With an overall score of 2.44 out of 4, the school sits essentially at the district average, meaning students are getting a typical Staten Island middle school education — solid but not standout.

The culture here tells a more positive story than the raw test scores suggest. Parent satisfaction runs at 93%, and the relationship between families and the principal is particularly strong at 97% trust — that's exceptional. Teachers also report high trust in leadership (93%) and rate instruction quality at 90%, though this trails the district average slightly. Attendance is average for the district at 92%, but chronic absenteeism is notably high at 70.8%, meaning a significant portion of students are missing substantial school time. Discipline is minimal with only a 1% suspension rate and 12 total suspensions last year, down from 17 the prior year. The overall feel is one of a school where people get along — families trust the principal, teachers feel supported, and behavioral issues are handled without heavy-handed interventions.

With 1,483 students across grades 6-8, Rocco Laurie is a mid-sized middle school. The student body is predominantly white (40%) with substantial Asian (28%) and Hispanic (24%) populations, giving it a diversity index of 74% — fairly diverse for Staten Island. About 23% of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support. The neighborhood around the school is heavily residential, with 76% homeownership and a median home value over $640,000 — families here are generally economically stable, reflected in the 51.5% economic need index. This isn't a high-needs school, but it's not affluent either — it's solidly middle-class Staten Island.

The New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis area of Staten Island is a classic car-dependent suburban neighborhood — transit scores are very low at just 18, and the nearest subway requires a bus connection. That said, it's remarkably safe (85 percentile), family-oriented (high stability score of 87), and the health environment scores off the charts at 99. Parks and recreational facilities are accessible, and the area has a strong community feel despite the need for a car to get around. Families here are primarily homeowners with school-age children, and the neighborhood ethos is very much about stability and raising kids in a safe, predictable environment.

This is a car-dependent neighborhood. Most families drive or get dropped off; public transit options are limited and would require bus connections to reach the school. Walking is possible for families who live nearby but isn't practical for most.