P.S. 090 Horace Mann

Test scores at P.S. 090 sit below the district average — 50.7% ELA proficiency versus 56.1% district-wide, and 53.1% math versus 57.3% district. The school has vacillated over the past decade, with a rough patch in 2022 (ELA dropped to 37.6%) followed by recovery and another dip in 2024 before rebounding in 2025. The fifth graders are the strong suit — 58% ELA proficiency — while third and fourth graders trail at 43% and 48% respectively. Math is relatively stronger in the younger grades but dips in fifth grade. The overall 2.08/4 score places it below the district average of 2.27, meaning students are catching up rather than leading.

This is where P.S. 090 really shines. Parent trust is nearly unanimous at 98-99%, and 100% of families report strong relationships with the school. Teachers report 92% safety and 91% instruction quality — both above district averages. The discipline record is impeccable: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, there's a tension here. While daily attendance (91.4%) matches the district, chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 68.5%, meaning nearly seven in ten students miss at least ten percent of the school year. This affects classroom dynamics and likely explains some of the academic volatility. The survey response rate (38% for families, 22 teachers) is low enough that results should be interpreted with some caution.

With 625 students, this is a mid-sized elementary serving a predominantly Hispanic (57%) and Asian (29%) community. Nearly a fifth of students have IEPs, and the economic need index of 72.8% indicates significant poverty. The diversity index of 61% reflects a multicultural student body. PTA fundraising is modest at $30 per student — well below the district average of $121 — suggesting fewer discretionary resources for enrichment programs.

Richmond Hill is a densely populated, family-oriented Queens neighborhood with a median home value of $785,000 and a 47% homeownership rate — higher than many nearby areas. The poverty rate is moderate at 11.7%, though the economic need at the school suggests many families are stretched. Transit access is average (54th percentile), and family density ranks high (64th percentile). Safety scores are middle-of-the-road. There are several parks and community resources in the area.

The school draws from a zone covering the surrounding Richmond Hill blocks — most families walk or drive short distances. The area has moderate subway access via nearby lines, though it's more of a car-dependent neighborhood for families coming from farther afield.