Joseph F. Quinn Intermediate School 77

Test scores at Joseph F. Quinn lag significantly behind District 24 averages — ELA proficiency of 32.8% and math at 39.7% compare to district averages of 51% and 55% respectively. However, the math trajectory tells an important story: from a pandemic-era low of 12.4% in 2022, math proficiency has climbed to 39.7% in 2025, showing genuine improvement. Grade 8 students perform notably stronger than younger grades, with 48.4% math proficiency and 38.3% in ELA, suggesting the school is effectively building skills as students progress. Science proficiency at 27.2% remains a weak spot. The overall score of 1.45 out of 4 places this school in the lower tier of district performance.

The survey data reveals an interesting duality. Parents report extremely high satisfaction (93%), trust in teachers (97%), and trust in the principal (96%) — these are strong numbers that suggest families feel supported in their interactions with staff. Teachers themselves rate instruction quality highly at 95%, indicating classroom teaching is solid. However, teacher-principal trust sits at a concerning 36%, with teacher collegial trust at 68% — both well below district averages. This disconnect between parent experience and teacher workplace sentiment is notable. Discipline is modest with a 1% suspension rate (9 total suspensions), slightly above the district average but not alarming. Attendance is a bigger concern: while the overall attendance rate of 92% is close to district average, chronic absenteeism is staggeringly high at 71%, meaning nearly three-quarters of students are missing significant school time.

This school serves 714 students in a tightly defined demographic: 87% Hispanic, 6% White, 5% Asian, and 1% Black. The economic need index of 78.1% is high, indicating most families face significant financial challenges. One in four students (26%) has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), suggesting robust special education services. The neighborhood of Ridgewood is predominantly working-class with a median household income of $83,559, 12.6% poverty rate, and only 20.4% homeownership — most families rent. The diversity index of 28% is low, meaning the school population is less diverse than many Queens schools, though this reflects the neighborhood's composition.

Ridgewood is a densely populated, transit-friendly Queens neighborhood with a strong working-class identity. The area scores well on transit access (73) and family density (60), but safety scores are notably low at 40. The neighborhood has a relatively low education orientation score (38), which contextually explains some of the academic challenges. With only 20.4% homeownership, most families rent, and the median home value of $1.02 million reflects broader NYC real estate pressures rather than household wealth given the moderate median income.

Ridgewood is walkable with good transit connections, though families should note the low safety score in the area — parents may want to consider transportation logistics, especially for younger students commuting from farther away