J.H.S. 074 Nathaniel Hawthorne

Test scores here are strong — 80.6% ELA and 85.6% math proficiency both exceed the district averages of 75.8% and 80.2% respectively. The school has shown real upward momentum over the past decade, gaining ground every year from 2016 to 2022 before stabilizing at these elevated levels. Grade 7 performs strongest (83.8% ELA, 87.5% math), while Grade 6 lags slightly behind. The 3.32 overall score outpaces the district average of 3.12, placing this school in the upper tier of District 26.

The survey data reveals a school where families feel genuinely supported — parent satisfaction hits 92%, with parent-teacher trust at 96% and parent-principal trust at 95%. These are strong numbers that suggest a collaborative, trusting environment. However, there's a notable tension: chronic absenteeism sits at 88.8%, far above typical rates, despite a 96% attendance rate. Teacher instruction quality scores 83%, slightly below the district average of 89.9%, though teacher trust in leadership remains solid at 87%. Discipline is minimal with just 3 suspensions last year and a 0% suspension rate, indicating a restorative approach rather than punitive one.

The student body is predominantly Asian (67%), with White students at 14%, Hispanic at 13%, and Black at just 3%. This differs somewhat from the neighborhood's demographics but reflects the broader District 26 composition. The diversity index of 58% and economic need index of 38.3% suggest a middle-class population with moderate resources. Fourteen percent of students have IEPs, and the school supports ELL students alongside a District G&T program.

Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills is a stable, residential Queens neighborhood with a 96.93 stability score — the highest in the area analysis. Median household income sits at $104,212 with a low 5.8% poverty rate, and 72.5% of residents own their homes. The area scores well on safety (73.18) and education orientation (73.95), though transit access is limited (25.67). Families with children make up about a quarter of households, and the neighborhood has decent park access and family-oriented amenities.

This is a car-dependent neighborhood — limited transit options mean most families drive or get dropped off. The school sits in a residential area where street parking is common but can get crowded during arrival and dismissal times.