P.S. 038 Rosedale

Test scores at P.S. 038 Rosedale have climbed steadily over the past nine years — ELA went from 44.7% in 2016 to 71.6% in 2025, and math improved from 33.3% to 65.1% over the same period. Both subjects now sit well above the District 29 averages of 56.9% (ELA) and 53.7% (math). The school's overall score of 2.73/4 also exceeds the district average of 2.21. Grade 5 stands out with 81.6% ELA proficiency, suggesting strong upper-elementary instruction, while grades 3 and 4 perform evenly between 60-69% across both subjects.

The survey data tells a striking story: 93% of families report satisfaction, 99% trust their children's teachers, and 97% rate instruction quality as high. Teachers themselves report 92% feeling safe at work and 88% trusting the principal — though the teacher response pool is small (15 teachers). The school has logged zero suspensions for three consecutive years, a rare record. However, chronic absenteeism at 59.7% is notably high, running higher for female students (64.9%) and Black students (66.1%) — a pattern worth investigating for a family considering enrollment.

P.S. 038 serves a predominantly Black student body (76%), with Hispanic students at 14%, Asian at 6%, and white and multi-racial students each at 2%. The school reflects the neighborhood's demographics in Rosedale, which has a strong homeownership rate (67%) and median household income above $100,000. The economic need index of 60.5% indicates a meaningful portion of students come from families facing financial challenges, though the neighborhood poverty rate is relatively low at 9%. About 18% of students have IEPs.

Rosedale is a quiet, residential Queens neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and predominantly single-family homes. The area skews older and more family-established, with high homeownership (67%) and relatively low poverty. Transit options are limited (transit score of 33.72), so most families drive or walk. The neighborhood scores well on safety (65.9) and health environment (82), with lower scores on family density and education orientation, reflecting its more suburban feel compared to denser parts of Queens.

Families in Rosedale typically walk or drive to school — the neighborhood is car-oriented with limited transit access. This works well for families who can manage school drop-offs but may be challenging for those relying on public transportation.