P.S. 007 Louis F. Simeone

The academic trajectory here is remarkable — this school has essentially doubled its proficiency rates over eight years, climbing from 42.9% ELA in 2016 to 82% in 2025, and math from 52.9% to 86.5%. That's not a fluke; the gains have been steady and substantial year over year, with particularly strong fourth-grade scores (86.8% ELA, 91.4% math). Compared to District 24's average of 51% ELA and 55% math, P.S. 007 is performing at a level that puts it in the top tier of the borough. The overall score of 3.37 out of 4 reflects consistent, system-wide excellence rather than a single bright spot.

The survey data here is extraordinary — 95% parent satisfaction, 97% parent-teacher trust, 98% parent-principal trust, and a stunning 100% reporting strong relationships between adults and students. Teachers give their own instruction quality a 94% rating, and 97% feel safe at work. This is a school where people genuinely like being. But there's a significant wrinkle: chronic absenteeism sits at 75%, which is dramatically high and suggests that while families love the school when they're there, getting kids through the door consistently is a challenge. The attendance rate of 92.7% is exactly district average, so the chronic absenteeism figure points to a subset of students missing large chunks of school. On the discipline side, the school has zero suspensions — that hasn't changed in three years. That's either a sign of excellent behavior management or very lenient policies, depending on your perspective.

With 1,196 students in grades PK-5, P.S. 007 is a mid-sized elementary school. The demographics are heavily Asian (62%) with significant Hispanic representation (32%), reflecting the Elmhurst neighborhood's composition. The diversity index sits at 50%, meaning there's meaningful variety within the student body. Economic need is high at 73.1% — most families here qualify for free or reduced lunch — and 13% of students have IEPs. PTA fundraising is modest at $11 per student (well below the $32 district average), suggesting a community that may not have discretionary income for extensive fundraising but is clearly engaged in other ways given the survey response rates.

Elmhurst is one of the city's most family-dense neighborhoods — scoring 93.1 on the family density metric — with 23.5% of households having children. It's a predominantly working and middle-class area with a median household income of $68,354 and a homeownership rate of just 26.6%, meaning most families here are renters. The median home value of $692,633 reflects the broader Queens real estate market but is still more affordable than Manhattan or parts of Brooklyn. Transit access is decent (63rd percentile), but the safety score of 25.67 is genuinely low — in the bottom quartile of the city. Crime density and collision rates are elevated, and environmental health indicators (asthma rates, lead exposure) suggest some air quality concerns. Families considering this school should know they're signing up for a community that's vibrant and affordable but comes with real urban safety considerations.

Elmhurst is a highly walkable neighborhood with good public transit options — many families walk or take the bus, and the area is well-served by multiple subway lines and bus routes