At a Glance
A large, diverse neighborhood high school with competitive academies and near-zero suspensions in a family-oriented Queens community
Families seeking a large, diverse neighborhood school with competitive academic pathways and a strong discipline record. Best for students who thrive in a structured environment and can handle the academic rigor of the STEM, Law, or Pre-Med academies. Parents who prioritize teacher trust and low suspension rates over top test scores will find a good fit. Families should be prepared to navigate a car-dependent neighborhood and be prepared to support academically if their child enters the general program rather than a selective academy.
- Zero suspensions — a rare achievement for a school of 2,300 students
- Three highly competitive selective academies (STEM/IB, Law, Pre-Med/IB) drawing hundreds of applicants
- Very high teacher trust scores (89-92%) across multiple dimensions
- Exceptional program richness (100/100) with 40+ extracurriculars
- Above-average attendance (93%) indicating strong student engagement
- Strong ELL and bilingual support including Bengali instruction
- Test scores are below district averages — 48% ELA and 50% Math versus 56% and 57% district-wide
- Parent satisfaction (89%) is slightly below the district average (93%)
- Low family survey response rate (17%) means less feedback from parents
- Academic performance hasn't kept pace with strong teacher instruction quality scores
- The neighborhood isn't walkable or transit-friendly — a car is likely needed
- Large school size (2,327 students) may feel overwhelming for some teens
Based on 2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 27
John Adams sits in District 27, which includes some of Queens' highest-performing charter and zoned schools. Compared to peer schools in the district like Success Academy South Jamaica (96/100) and Scholars' Academy (86/100), John Adams' performance places it in the middle tier. The school's 2.1/4 overall rating is slightly below the district average of 2.27. However, what distinguishes John Adams is its discipline record (zero suspensions vs. 0.5% district average), strong teacher trust, and selective academies that attract competitive applicants from outside the zone.
State test proficiency at John Adams sits below the District 27 average — 48% in ELA versus the district's 56%, and 50% in Math versus 57%. These scores indicate students are working to catch up to district benchmarks rather than leading them. However, the school offers rigorous pathways through its selective academies (IB, STEM, Law, Pre-Med), and teacher instruction quality scores are strong at 92%, matching the district average. The gap between instructional quality and outcomes suggests the academic challenge may be there, but student performance hasn't yet translated into higher test scores.
The culture at John Adams stands out for its discipline and trust metrics. Zero suspensions is a rare achievement for a school this size, and both parent and teacher trust scores are high — 92% for parent-teacher trust and 89% for teacher-principal trust. Family survey response rate is low at 17%, which means the 89% parent satisfaction figure represents a smaller slice of families. Teacher collegial trust is solid at 84%. The day-to-day feel appears structured and supportive, with a clear emphasis on keeping students in class and building relational trust between staff and families.
The student body mirrors the neighborhood's diversity — 35% Hispanic, 34% Asian, 25% Black, and only 3% white, with a diversity index of 73%. This is a working-to-middle-class community with 74% economic need, meaning three-quarters of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. About 15% of students have IEPs, and the school provides robust ELL support. The demographics reflect the surrounding South Ozone Park area, which is largely immigrant families with children and a strong homeownership base.
South Ozone Park is a residential, family-dense neighborhood in central Queens with a strong homeownership rate (69%) and median home values around $652K. It's not particularly transit-friendly (score of 38), so most families likely drive or take buses. The area scores well on safety (61) and family density (72), making it feel like a stable place to raise kids. There's a strong South Asian presence in the community, which aligns with the school's Bengali language offerings and South Asian Club. Parks and recreation resources are decent, though the neighborhood isn't known for walkability.
This is a car-dependent area. Families without a vehicle should plan for bus routes or carpools, as the neighborhood's transit score is low.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 381 families responded (17% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
STEM and International Baccalaureate Academy is a rigorous program of study for highly motivated students. The goal of the STEM-IB Program is to develop well-rounded students who are ready to take advanced courses in preparation for college. Students who successfully complete the IB coursework/requirements will receive the globally recognized IB Diploma. Students studying in the STEM academy will learn from teachers who are passionate about their subjects and their students' future. Students will immerse themselves in engineering, robotics, Virtual Reality/ Augmented reality and computer science courses with the opportunity to earn industry credit and opportunities to exercise their skills in real-world experiences. In the STEM Academy, students are able to take, IB, AP, SUNY Farmingdale and CUNY College Now courses to earn up to 30 college credits.
Prepares students for careers in social sciences, law, and international relations. Students will participate in Model UN, Moot Court, and Mock Trial.
This is a rigorous program of study for highly motivated students. The goal of the International Baccalaureaute (IB) Program is to develop well-rounded students with character who respond to challenges with optimism and an open mind. Students who successfully complete the IB coursework/requirements will receive the globally recognized IB Diploma. Pre-Med includes approved curricula in medical/health careers, psychology, anatomy and physiology (with Z-Space AR), First Aide/CPR, and clinical medical assistant profession skills.
Prepares students for careers in photography, sculpting, journalism, video production, studio recording, writing, theater, and fine arts. Students will participate in creating published newsletters, cyber journalism, yearbook, play productions, and the literary magazine.
Prepares students for careers in business and computer science. Students will participate in Virtual Enterprise, Microsoft certiport certification, Co-Op Tech, and internships. Students will be able to earn a CDOS credential upon graduation.
Our students will develop the 21st century skills needed to be the highly effective educators and leaders of tomorrow. In addition, students will receive a hands-on experience with communication and public speaking, organization and management skills. Students will have the ability to mentor, become a teacher assistant and lead peer education opportunities. FELA provides opportunities to gain college credits through participation in AP and college credited courses during the school day.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is John Adams High School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for John Adams High School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in South Ozone Park.
- What grades does John Adams High School serve?
- John Adams High School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into John Adams High School?
- John Adams High School is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is John Adams High School public, charter, or private?
- John Adams High School is a public school in NYC Community School District 27.
- What neighborhood is John Adams High School in?
- John Adams High School is in South Ozone Park, Queens.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.