P.S. 055 Maure

P.S. 055 Maure is posting ELA and math proficiency rates that are roughly 14 and 23 percentage points above the District 28 averages — a meaningful gap that signals real instructional strength. The school’s trajectory is particularly striking: in 2016, only 37.7% of students were proficient in ELA; by 2025, that number hit 76.5%. Math follows a similar arc, climbing from 38.7% in 2016 to 85.3% this year. Grade-level data shows strength across the board — 3rd graders are hitting 89.6% in ELA and 88% in math, 4th graders are at 77.1% and 80.9%, and even 5th graders, whose math is particularly strong at 86.8%, demonstrate consistent performance. This is a school that has moved from below district average to solidly above it, and the growth has been steady year over year.

The culture here is a real paradox worth understanding: chronic absenteeism sits at a concerning 67.2% (well above district average), yet the school’s climate surveys tell a completely different story. Parents rate their satisfaction at 95%, trust in teachers at 97%, and trust in the principal at 97%. Teachers report 98% instruction quality and 98% feeling safe at work. These numbers suggest that families who ARE engaged are deeply invested — and the school has built genuine relationships with them. The school has also maintained zero suspensions for two of the past three years, indicating a restorative or preventive approach to discipline that’s working. The chronic absenteeism is worth probing — it may reflect community factors (work schedules, housing instability) rather than school climate issues, given how positively engaged families report feeling.

P.S. 055 serves a racially diverse student body that reflects its South Richmond Hill neighborhood: 38% Asian, 26% Native American, 24% Hispanic, 10% Black, and 2% White, with a diversity index of 77%. The Native American population is notably higher than many Queens schools — likely reflecting the area’s specific community. With 64% economic need index and 14% of students having IEPs, this is a population that includes families facing real challenges, yet the school is delivering top-tier academic results. The PTA raised about $70 per student this year ($31,923 total) — lower than the district average of $165 per student, which may reflect the community’s economic reality rather than lower engagement. Total enrollment sits at 458, with average class sizes around 24.5, matching the district average.

South Richmond Hill is a densely populated, working-to-middle-class Queens neighborhood with a homeownership rate of 57.2% and median home values around $704,000. The area scores lower on education orientation (31st percentile) and safety (48th percentile), which may surprise parents considering the strong school performance. Transit options are moderate (55th percentile), and the neighborhood is family-dense with about 22% of households having children. Environmental health indicators show some concerns — asthma rates and lead exposure rates are notable — though these are common in urban Queens. Families in the zone walk or drive their children to school; it’s a walkable neighborhood with local shops and restaurants within reach.

The school is in a residential area where most families walk or drive. The neighborhood is compact enough that many zoned students can walk, though parents driving creates typical school-hour traffic on surrounding streets.