P.S. 122 Mamie Fay

Test scores have climbed steadily over the past decade — ELA proficiency moved from 75% in 2016 to 84% in 2025, and math from 74% to 80% — both well above the District 30 averages of roughly 61% and 62%. The trajectory is improving, particularly in math, though math dipped slightly in the most recent year. The most striking pattern is by grade: grades 3-5 sit in the 67-77% proficiency range, while grades 6-8 jump to 93-99%. This is a school where students clearly hit their stride in middle school.

On most climate measures, P.S. 122 looks strong: 100% of teachers report feeling safe, parent-principal trust is 97%, and the school has zero suspensions for the past two years. Parent satisfaction at 91% is slightly below the district average of 93%, and teacher-rated instruction quality at 87% trails the district's 91% — worth asking about. The one number that genuinely gives pause is chronic absenteeism at 81.9%, which is very high, even in a post-pandemic context. Daily attendance at 94% is above average, but a large share of students are missing too many days — a real flag for any family weighing this school.

The student body is 48% white, 27% Asian, 18% Hispanic, 4% multiracial, and 3% Black — a moderately diverse mix that mirrors the surrounding Astoria neighborhood. The economic need index of 52 means about half of students qualify for additional support, suggesting a mix of working- and middle-class families rather than a uniformly affluent or uniformly high-need population. IEP enrollment at 9% is on the lower side, so families seeking robust special education services may want to dig into what is available.

The school serves the Ditmars-Steinway section of Astoria, a solidly middle-class neighborhood with a median household income around $94,000 and a poverty rate near 10%. Just over half of neighborhood adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and though most residents rent, the area has a stable family presence — about 18% of households include children. It's a walkable, transit-connected part of western Queens with a strong local identity.

Most families arrive via the Astoria-Ditmars Blvd station on the N and W lines, about a 9-minute walk from the school; Astoria Blvd (N W) is roughly 15 minutes on foot.