P.S. 052 John C. Thompson

This is one of the stronger academic stories on Staten Island. P.S. 052's 68.9% ELA proficiency and 77.6% math proficiency both clear the district averages (61.3% ELA, 61% math) by a meaningful margin, and the trajectory is clearly upward — math proficiency has climbed from 54.1% in 2016 to 77.6% in 2025, a remarkable gain. ELA dipped during the pandemic years but has rebounded to its highest point on record. Grade 3 math is particularly strong at 82.8%, suggesting younger students build a solid numerical foundation here before transitioning to upper elementary.

The day-to-day feel here is calm and trusting. Teacher-reported safety is at 100% — essentially every teacher feels safe at school — and the school has reported zero suspensions for three consecutive years. Parent trust is unusually high: 99% trust the principal, 98% report strong teacher relationships, and 94% are satisfied overall. Attendance is solid at 93.3%, above the district average. One flag worth raising: the chronic absenteeism figure is notably high, so parents of kids prone to missing school should ask how the school supports consistent attendance. The classroom experience parents describe is structured and warm rather than chaotic.

The student body is 48% White, 31% Asian, 17% Hispanic, and 1% Black — moderately diverse but more homogeneous than the citywide average, reflecting the surrounding neighborhood. With 17% of students having IEPs, special education is a meaningful part of the school's work. The economic need index of 56 sits in the middle range, and the school draws working- and middle-class families from a stable homeowner neighborhood. About 23% of neighborhood households have kids, so this is a family-centered pocket of Staten Island where most students likely walk or get a quick car ride from home.

New Dorp-Midland Beach is a stable, middle-income pocket of Staten Island where three-quarters of residents own their homes and the median home value is around $652,000. Median household income is roughly $91,700, well above the citywide norm, and the poverty rate sits at a modest 9.5%. About 23% of households have children, and roughly 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a comfortable suburban-style setting within the borough. The neighborhood reads as established family territory rather than transient.

Getting here by transit means the Staten Island Railway — Dongan Hills station is about a 12-minute walk, with Jefferson Avenue (about 16 minutes) and Old Town (about 20 minutes) as alternatives. Most families likely drive or walk.