I.S. 192 The Linden

Test scores at I.S. 192 have climbed substantially over the past nine years — ELA rose from 18% to 41% and math from 13% to 27% — yet both remain well below District 29 averages (57% ELA, 54% math). Grade 8 students show the strongest ELA performance at 58%, while math proficiency lags across all grades, with Grade 7 at 37% but Grade 8 dropping to 25%. The overall quality rating of 1.35 out of 4 places this school in the lower tier of the district, but the upward trajectory suggests the academic program is moving in the right direction.

This is where the data tells a more nuanced story. Teachers rate instruction quality at 97% — far above the district average of 88% — and both parent-principal trust (94%) and teacher-principal trust (98%) are exceptionally high. Family surveys show 89% satisfaction and 91% parent-teacher trust. However, chronic absenteeism sits at a concerning 58.5%, meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time. The 3% suspension rate is above district average but has dropped from 21 suspensions in 2022-23 to just 9 in 2023-24, indicating improved restorative practices. The disconnect between high trust/satisfaction and poor attendance is the defining tension here — families and staff feel good about the school, but attendance engagement is a real challenge.

Enrollment of 387 makes this a small middle school, with a student body that is 75% Black, 17% Hispanic, and 6% Asian. The economic need index of 68.6% indicates a high-poverty population, and 23% of students have IEPs. This demographic profile differs notably from the Hollis neighborhood itself, which has a higher homeownership rate (53%), lower poverty (8.7%), and a more mixed socioeconomic profile. The school reflects a community of students facing significant economic challenges, while the surrounding neighborhood is more stable and affluent.

Hollis is a Queens neighborhood known for its quiet, residential character with single-family homes and a strong homeownership rate above 50%. The median home value of $685,000 reflects a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community. Safety scores are moderate (57th percentile), and the area has good health environment ratings (84th percentile), though transit options are limited (43rd percentile). Families report it as a tight-knit community, though the 15.4% households with children rate suggests it's not particularly child-dense.

Hollis is a residential neighborhood where most families drive or get dropped off; public transit options are limited compared to more urban parts of Queens. Families should expect car dependency for most daily commutes.