J.H.S. 202 Robert H. Goddard

Test scores here sit right around the district average — ELA at 58.5% vs. district 56%, math at 61.6% vs. district 57% — but the trajectory tells a more encouraging story. This school has roughly doubled its proficiency rates since 2016, climbing from 37% to 59% in ELA and 31% to 62% in math. Grade 8 students perform strongest, reaching 63% ELA and 63% math proficiency, suggesting the school successfully prepares students for high school. Science proficiency at 42% lags behind the other subjects, which is worth noting for families prioritizing STEM tracks.

The survey data paints a picture of strong internal culture — teachers rate instruction quality at 95%, and both parents and teachers express very high trust in the principal (95% and 93% respectively). However, there's a disconnect between these strong relational metrics and actual attendance: 66% of students are chronically absent, with particularly high rates among Asian (73%) and White (73%) students. The suspension rate doubled from prior years to 17 incidents last year, though it remains relatively low at 2%. Families feel heard and respected here, but getting students through the door consistently seems to be the core challenge.

The student body is majority Hispanic (48%) with substantial Asian enrollment (35%), reflecting Ozone Park's demographics. At 70.5% economic need index, this is a high-need school — nearly three-quarters of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The diversity index of 69% is moderate for Queens, and 17% of students have IEPs. The PTA raised $90 per student last year, which is modest compared to some district peers but indicates engaged families.

Ozone Park is a working-class to middle-class neighborhood in southwestern Queens with strong homeownership rates (58%) and a relatively low poverty rate at 9.4%. The area has an education-obsessed culture (scoring 92 on education orientation) — families here prioritize academics. Safety scores are moderate at 59, and transit access at 52 is decent but not excellent. The median home value of $696,000 reflects the neighborhood's stability and desirability for families.

Many students walk or bike to school as a zoned neighborhood school, though the 66% chronic absenteeism rate suggests transportation may still be a barrier for some families. The area has moderate transit access but isn't as connected as parts of central Queens.