I.S. 250 The Robert F. Kennedy Community Middle School

Test scores here are well below the Queens District 25 average — ELA proficiency sits at 34.8% versus the district's 64.9%, and math at 30.3% versus 69.6%. The school's 1.3 out of 4 overall score places it near the bottom of a district where peers routinely score 2.5-3. Looking at the trend, scores peaked in 2018 at 43.7% ELA and have fluctuated since, with a notable math recovery to 38.7% in 2024 before dropping back to 30.3% in 2025. Grade 8 students perform notably better (42.7% ELA) than Grade 6 (28.4%), suggesting the school may be improving outcomes for students who stay — but the youngest learners are entering significantly behind their district peers.

Here's where the picture gets nuanced. Parent satisfaction checks in at 91%, parent-teacher trust at 96%, and parent-principal trust at a remarkable 97%. Teachers report 93% instruction quality and 89% trust in leadership — numbers that suggest a respectful, collaborative environment where adults are working hard for families. But the attendance data is concerning: an 89.9% attendance rate with 59.6% chronic absenteeism, and notably 71.9% among Asian students. Suspensions also increased from 2 to 9 over three years, though the 3% rate remains relatively low. The gap between strong survey responses and poor attendance suggests families value the school experience even when logistical or motivational barriers keep kids home.

At 328 students across grades 6-8, this is a small school with a demographic mix closely matching its neighborhood: 40% Hispanic, 27% Black, 26% Asian, and 6% White, with a diversity index of 73%. Nearly a quarter of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support. With 77.6% economic need, this is a community of families facing real financial pressures — yet they're engaged enough to achieve a 50% family survey response rate and maintain PTA fundraising.

Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest is a residential neighborhood in central Queens with single-family homes, co-ops, and apartment buildings. Median home values around $764,000 and a 46% homeownership rate suggest stability, though the 15% poverty rate indicates economic diversity. The area scores 60/100 on safety (moderate), with lower transit access (35/100), which means most families drive or walk. Education orientation scores 55/100 — decent but not exceptional. Safety indicators show elevated asthma rates and lead exposure concerns worth noting for families with health sensitivities.

Transit access is limited — families typically walk or drive, and the area's residential streets make walking feasible for nearby residents but less convenient for those coming from farther afield