P.S. 035 Nathaniel Woodhull

P.S. 035's 2025 test scores show a significant rebound — math proficiency at 69.2% and ELA at 57.4% both exceed district averages (53.7% and 56.9% respectively). However, the academic trajectory has been uneven: scores climbed steadily from 2016-2023, dipped in 2024 (ELA dropped to 39.9%, math to 56.1%), then surged in 2025. Grade 4 stands out with particularly strong math performance at 73.9%, while Grade 5 leads in ELA at 60.8%. The overall 2.53/4 score beats the district average of 2.21, placing this school above typical District 29 performance.

The school's climate presents a paradox: families feel extremely well-served (91% satisfaction, 98% trust in teachers and principal, 100% report strong relationships), but teachers report troubling trust gaps (36% teacher-principal trust, 39% collegial trust). This doesn't appear to impact instruction quality perception, which families rate highly, but it's a staffing dynamic worth noting. Attendance is a challenge — the 88.9% rate falls below the 90.9% district average, and chronic absenteeism is high at 55.3%, particularly for Asian students (58.3%) and Native American students (65.9%). The discipline record is exemplary: zero suspensions for three consecutive years, well below the 0.94% district average.

With 564 students, P.S. 035 is a mid-sized elementary school that reflects its diverse Queens neighborhood: 36% Asian, 30% Black, 24% Hispanic, 7% Native American, and 3% white. The diversity index of 78% is a strength. Economic need is high at 70.4% (above typical District 29 levels), with 18% of students receiving special education services. PTA fundraising is notably low at $3 per student ($1,625 total), suggesting limited extra enrichment resources compared to peer schools.

Hollis is a stable, residential Queens neighborhood characterized by single-family homes, a 53% homeownership rate, and median household income of $86,660 — well above citywide averages. The poverty rate is low at 8.7%, and median home values of $685,134 reflect a comfortable, middle-class community. The area scores poorly on family density (28.74 percentile) and transit access (42.91), meaning this is a neighborhood where families own cars rather than rely on public transportation. Education orientation is moderate at 49.43, suggesting this isn't a hyper-competitive academic enclave but a place where schools serve everyday families.

Walkability in Hollis is moderate — the neighborhood is residential with tree-lined streets, but most families drive given the low transit score. Street parking is generally available near the school.