J.H.S. 226 Virgil I. Grissom

Test scores at Grissom have climbed meaningfully since 2016, when only 26% of students were proficient in ELA and 18% in math — today those numbers approach 39% and 42% respectively. That's real growth, but the school still trails District 27 averages by roughly 15-17 percentage points in both subjects. Grade 7 stands out, particularly in math where 53% of students are proficient — outpacing the school average significantly. The overall 1.63/4 score reflects a school that has improved substantially but still has work to do to reach district benchmarks.

Here's where the story gets interesting: teachers overwhelmingly rate their experience positively — 97% say instruction quality is strong, and 96% trust the principal. Parents, too, feel heard, with 95% trusting the principal and 92% trusting teachers. These are numbers many district schools would envy. However, chronic absenteeism sits at a troubling 60.5%, well above the district average, and the suspension rate (2%) runs four times higher than the district average of 0.5%. The discipline number has held steady at 15 suspensions for three years running, suggesting neither improvement nor deterioration. The disconnect between survey satisfaction and attendance suggests the school climate works for students who show up, but getting students to show up consistently is a major challenge.

The student body is notably diverse: roughly equal parts Asian (28%) and Black (29%) students, with Hispanic students at 23% and a striking 17% Native American population — well above typical city averages. The economic need index of 70.5% indicates a high-poverty population, and 22% of students have IEPs. The diversity index of 82% reflects this mix. PTA fundraising of just $21 per student ranks far below the district average of $121, suggesting fewer family resources being directed to the school — though parent survey satisfaction remains reasonably strong at 91%.

South Ozone Park is a settled, family-oriented neighborhood in central Queens with a homeownership rate above 69% and median home values over $650,000 — considerably more affluent than many parts of the borough. The poverty rate sits at a low 10.5%, though only 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees. Safety scores are moderate (60.54 percentile), transit access is limited (37.55 percentile), but family density is high (72.03 percentile). The neighborhood is fairly residential, with single-family homes dominating. Health indicators show some concerns — asthma emergency department rates are elevated — but air quality (PM2.5) is reasonable.

The school sits along Rockaway Boulevard, a major Queens thoroughfare. Families from the neighborhood typically walk or drive; limited transit options mean car dependency is higher here than in more transit-connected parts of the borough.