P.S. 144 Col Jeromus Remsen

P.S. 144 is significantly outpacing district averages — the school’s 81.5% ELA proficiency and 87.6% math proficiency both exceed the district averages of roughly 63%, putting this school among the top performers in Queens District 28. The school has shown steady, sustained growth over the past decade, with math proficiency climbing from 65.7% in 2016 to 87.6% in 2025, a gain of 22 percentage points. ELA has also improved substantially, rising from 64.2% to 81.5% over the same period. Performance is strong across all tested grades, with Grade 3 leading at 83.5% ELA and Grade 4 math hitting 91.1%.

The school’s survey data paints an exceptionally positive picture — 100% of teachers report feeling safe at work, 96% of parents trust teachers, and 96% trust the principal. Nearly every respondent (100%) reported strong relationships between staff and families. Teacher instruction quality scores 92%, and teacher-principal trust reaches 97%. Attendance is solid at 94.4%, above the district average. Discipline is essentially nonexistent — the school has reported zero suspensions for three consecutive years. The chronic absenteeism rates show some variation by group (ranging from 73.9% to 93.8% across demographics), which may warrant attention for specific populations.

The school enrolls 825 students with a nearly even split between Asian students (38%) and white students (32%), followed by Hispanic (19%), multiracial (10%), and Black (1%) students. This diversity index of 75% reflects a heterogeneous student body. The economic need index of 20.6% is relatively low compared to many city schools, suggesting a student population with fewer economic challenges. The PTA raised approximately $145,000 in 2024-25 (about $176 per student), slightly above the district average of $165 per student, indicating active family involvement.

Forest Hills is a residential neighborhood in central Queens with a strong family orientation — households with children make up 75% of the area's family density score. The median household income is $104,416, and nearly 61% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting an education-focused community. The neighborhood scores 85 out of 100 for education orientation, indicating strong academic values. Safety scores (43/100) and transit scores (43/100) are moderate, while the stability score of 49 suggests some population turnover. Families can access local parks and the LIRR station nearby.

The school serves a zoned area in Forest Hills — most families walk or drive, with the neighborhood being relatively car-friendly. The area has moderate transit access via bus routes and is within reasonable distance of the Forest Hills LIRR station.