At a Glance
A South Jamaica zoned school with exceptional test scores and near-universal family satisfaction — but troubling chronic absenteeism that parents should understand
Families who value strong community connections and academic rigor, and who can actively support their children's attendance — the school delivers excellent education when kids are present, but chronic absenteeism is a real issue that requires family engagement to overcome.
- Exceptional family satisfaction and trust (100% across multiple survey dimensions)
- Test scores well above district average in both subjects
- Zero suspension rate with minimal discipline issues
- Strong academic growth trajectory over the past decade
- Small class sizes averaging 24.5 students
- Chronic absenteeism affects half the student body — this impacts classroom culture and instruction
- Test scores dipped significantly in 2024 before rebounding — suggesting some volatility
- PTA fundraising is minimal ($12/student) compared to district peers — fewer family-funded extras
- Teacher-reported safety (83%) is below district average
- Below-average attendance rate (86.8%)
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 28
Among district 28 peer schools rated 83-97, P.S. 040 sits solidly in the upper middle — its 3.15 overall score exceeds the district average of 2.51. It outperforms most peer schools academically, though some specialty schools (like the Academy for Excellence through the Arts at 95/100) likely have stronger performance. The school holds its own against zoned peers like P.S. 121 and P.S. 174.
This school's proficiency rates — 76.5% in ELA and 80.8% in Math — sit well above the district averages of roughly 63%. The trajectory is remarkable: from just 18% ELA proficiency in 2016 to over 80% by 2025, with math following a similar climb. That said, 2024 saw a significant dip (45% ELA, 66% math) before recovering strongly in 2025, suggesting some instability in test performance. Third graders perform strongest (82.5% ELA), while fifth grade math dips slightly below ELA — worth noting for families considering grade-level transitions.
Survey results paint a remarkably positive picture: 100% parent satisfaction, 100% parent-teacher trust, and 100% strong relationships — numbers most schools only dream of. Teachers report 100% instruction quality and 94% trust in leadership. The suspension rate is effectively zero. However, teacher-reported safety (83%) falls below the district average, and the chronic absenteeism rate of 50.6% is a serious concern — nearly half of students are missing significant school time. This disconnect between what families report feeling (great) and who actually shows up (far fewer) is the central tension in this school's culture.
With 352 students across grades K-5, this is a small-to-midsize zoned school drawing primarily from the South Jamaica neighborhood. The student body is majority Black (41%) and Hispanic (32%), with 19% Asian and a high economic need index of 85.1%. The diversity index of 73% reflects a genuinely mixed community. One notable gap: PTA fundraising is only $12 per student, far below the district average of $165 — suggesting fewer extra enrichment resources funded by families, though this doesn't appear to have hurt academic outcomes.
South Jamaica is a family-oriented neighborhood in central Queens with a moderate cost of living — median home value around $588K and homeownership at 46%. The area scores moderately on safety (49th percentile) and family density, but lower on education orientation (34th) and transit access (40th). There are local parks and community resources, though families report needing a car for most errands. The neighborhood has a strong community feel but isn't particularly walkable to wider Queens amenities.
Transit access is below average — families typically drive or rely on buses, making this less convenient for commuters without cars.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 307 families responded (82% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington earns an overall quality score of 79/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 28 average.
- What grades does P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington serve?
- P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington?
- P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington is a public school in NYC Community School District 28.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington in?
- P.S. 040 Samuel Huntington is in South Jamaica, Queens.
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