I.S. 125 Thom J. McCann Woodside

Test scores at I.S. 125 have declined significantly from their 2019 peak (ELA 51.8%, Math 56.1%) to current levels (ELA 42.8%, Math 40.9%). Both subjects now sit below the district averages of 51% and 55% respectively — meaning students here are performing about 8-14 points behind typical district peers. The overall score of 1.67 out of 4 also trails the district average of 2.12. Grade-level data shows Grade 8 slightly outperforming others in ELA (45.6%) while Grade 7 leads in math (45.1%), suggesting some grade-level variation in instructional strength.

The survey data reveals a genuinely unusual pattern: families and teachers report extremely high trust in leadership (parent-principal trust at 97%, teacher-principal trust at 93%) and strong satisfaction (93%). Instruction quality scores well at 94%. Yet chronic absenteeism is strikingly high at 73.1% — meaning nearly three-quarters of students missed significant school time, far above what you'd expect at a school with engaged families. Discipline data shows a concerning spike: suspensions increased from 4 in 2021-22 to 17 in 2023-24, a fourfold jump. The school feels welcoming based on trust metrics, but attendance and behavior trends suggest underlying instability in daily attendance and student engagement.

With 1,500 students, I.S. 125 is a large middle school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (59%) with a significant Asian population (32%), reflecting the Woodside neighborhood's demographics. Nearly 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch (economic need index 74.9%), and 17% have IEPs. The diversity index is 54%, indicating moderate demographic variety. Families are clearly engaged — the school received 694 family survey responses (high for a middle school) — though PTA fundraising is modest at $13 per student, below the district average.

The school is located in Woodside, a dense, working-class Queens neighborhood known for its immigrant communities and relatively affordable housing compared to nearby Manhattan. The area scores below average on safety (46/100) but has decent transit options (50/100). There are several parks and family resources in the area, though the neighborhood has environmental health concerns — asthma rates are elevated and lead exposure rates are notable. The median home value is $659,546, suggesting a community of renters and modest-income homeowners.

The school is accessible via the 46th Street and Bliss Street subway stations on the 7 line, making it commute-friendly for families without cars. The neighborhood is walkable, though traffic and collision rates are concerns for families walking with younger children.