P.S. 082 Hammond

Test scores at P.S. 082 have bounced around significantly over the past decade — ELA peaked at 40.3% in 2018, plummeted to 26.7% during pandemic-era 2022, and now sits at 36.7%, while math recovered more steadily from 22.2% in 2022 to 38.5% currently. Both subjects remain roughly 25 percentage points below the Queens District 28 averages, meaning students here are catching up rather than leading. Grade-level breakdown shows 4th and 5th graders performing similarly in ELA (around 40%) but with math more volatile — 4th graders at 50% proficiency while 5th graders lag at 35%. The pattern suggests math instruction has improved more dramatically than reading.

The day-to-day feel at this school is one where families genuinely trust the staff — 94% parent satisfaction and 97% parent-teacher trust are exceptional, and 95% principal trust reinforces that families feel heard by leadership. Teachers rate their own instruction quality highly at 90% and report 89% safety, but there's a notable gap in teacher-principal trust (81%) and teacher collegial trust (73%) compared to parent trust levels. Discipline is a genuine strength: zero suspensions for three consecutive years is rare in any elementary school. However, chronic absenteeism at 64.1% is extremely high — nearly two-thirds of students are missing significant school time, which directly impacts learning.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (70%) with significant Asian representation (18%), reflecting the diverse fabric of Jamaica Hills-Briarwood. Black students make up 6%, with small White (1%), Multi-Racial (1%), and Native American (3%) populations. Eighteen percent of students have IEPs, and the economic need index sits at 83.1% — meaning the majority of families here face significant financial challenges despite the neighborhood's moderate median income of $84,000. PTA fundraising brought in just $6,456 this year, or about $11 per student, far below the district average of $165 per student.

Jamaica Hills-Briarwood is a residential Queens neighborhood with moderate safety scores and fairly low transit access — families will likely rely on cars or buses rather than subways. The area has a homeownership rate of 40% and a poverty rate of 13.4%, making it working- to middle-class. Half of adult residents have college degrees, so education expectations tend to be higher, though family density is moderate at 47%. There are local parks and retail along the main corridors, but this isn't a walkable urban core — it's a car-oriented Queens neighborhood.

The neighborhood is moderately walkable for local errands, but families commuting from further away will typically drive or use bus service — subway access is limited in this part of Queens.