I.S. 230

Test scores hover just below district averages — ELA at 58.9% versus the district's 60.7% and math at 53.5% versus 62.2%. The school showed improvement momentum through 2019, peaked in 2022 with 64.9% ELA, but has since slipped back. Grade 8 students perform strongest in ELA (64.3%) while Grade 8 math drops to 47.1%, suggesting the math curriculum may lose traction in the upper grades. Science proficiency at 28% is notably low. With an overall quality score of 2.25 out of 4, the school sits below the district average of 2.46.

The climate data tells a complicated story. Families feel very connected — 97% trust the principal and 92% are satisfied overall. Teachers report excellent instruction quality (93%, above district average). However, teacher-principal trust is low at 63% and teacher collegial trust at 68%, suggesting tension between staff and leadership that parents may not directly experience. Attendance is a concern: while the 92.7% daily attendance rate matches the district, the 76% chronic absenteeism rate is extremely high, meaning roughly three-quarters of students miss significant school time. Suspensions increased from 1 in 2022-23 to 10 in 2023-24, a spike worth monitoring.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (60%) with substantial Asian enrollment (34%), reflecting the Jackson Heights neighborhood demographics. Economic need is high at 73.1%, and 14% of students have IEPs. There are virtually no Black students enrolled (0%), which is notable in a district with diverse populations. The diversity index of 51% indicates moderate demographic variety, though the school is essentially two-majority groups. PTA fundraising is minimal at $3 per student versus the district average of $78, suggesting lower parental financial engagement or different fundraising traditions.

Jackson Heights is one of the city's most family-dense neighborhoods (91st percentile) with a strong immigrant character — median household income of $72,762 and 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees. The area scores low on safety (24th percentile) but high on family orientation. Transit access is moderate (52nd percentile), and the neighborhood offers diverse food, retail, and community resources typical of this bustling Queens corridor.

The school sits in a pedestrian-heavy area with good access to local bus routes and the 7 train, though parents should be aware of traffic and neighborhood density when walking or dropping off.