At a Glance
A zoned neighborhood school with sky-high family trust and strong math performance, though teacher instruction quality trails the district average
Families who prioritize a safe, disciplined environment with exceptional parent-teacher relationships and strong math instruction. Parents comfortable with slightly below-average ELA scores who value the neighborhood's stability and family density will thrive here. Families seeking high teacher instruction quality scores or those relying on public transit may want to compare with nearby options.
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — an exceptionally safe, discipline-free environment
- Parent trust metrics are extraordinary: 98% parent-teacher trust, 97% parent-principal trust, 100% strong relationships reported
- Grade 4 math proficiency reaches 88.4%, well above district averages
- Strong attendance at 95.8%
- Teacher instruction quality (79%) lags significantly behind the district average of 89.9% — this is the most notable concern in the data
- Teacher-principal trust (74%) is lower than parent trust, suggesting potential communication gaps between staff and leadership
- ELA proficiency (71.6%) trails the district average of 75.8% — families prioritizing reading/writing may want to ask about supports
- The chronic absenteeism metric (87.4%) appears high and warrants clarification from the school
- Teacher survey response rate was low (30 responses), which may affect the reliability of teacher-reported metrics
- PTA fundraising ($152/student) is below the district average of $96 per student, which may affect available enrichment programs
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 26
Among peer schools in District 26, P.S. 162 John Golden ranks in the middle tier — peers like P.S. 098 The Douglaston School and P.S. 094 David D. Porter score 94/100, while this school doesn't have a comparable rating but its 3.05 overall score trails the district average of 3.12. The school excels in family engagement metrics but underperforms in teacher instruction quality compared to district peers.
Math performance is a strength here — 80.7% proficiency matches the district average and represents a recovery from a dip to 70% in 2023. Grade 4 students particularly shine in math at 88.4%, while Grade 5 leads in ELA at 82.8%. However, overall ELA proficiency at 71.6% trails the district average of 75.8%, and the school has experienced some volatility in recent years — scores dropped notably during 2022 (55.6% ELA) before rebounding strongly to today's numbers. The 3.05 overall score is slightly below the district average of 3.12.
The culture here is defined by exceptional family trust — 97% of parents trust the principal and 100% report strong relationships with the school. Teacher-reported safety is nearly universal at 99%, and the school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, there's a notable gap between parent and teacher perception: while families are highly satisfied, teacher instruction quality scores (79%) fall below the district average of 89.9%, and teacher-principal trust sits at 74%. This suggests a disconnect that some parents may want to understand during a school visit.
The student body is 73% Asian, with smaller populations of Hispanic (12%) and White (12%) students. This mirrors the neighborhood's strong Asian-American community and aligns with Auburndale's high homeownership rate (67.3%) and median household income of $87,050. The diversity index of 50% reflects moderate diversity within the school, though the population is less heterogeneous than some Queens schools. Economic need index sits at 52.9%, indicating a middle-class student population, and 16% of students have IEPs.
Auburndale is a quiet, family-oriented Queens neighborhood known for its stability (96.17 stability score) and single-family homes. The area has a strong education orientation (77.78 score) and relatively low poverty (8.7%). Families will find a safe, residential environment with moderate transit access (34.1 score) — car ownership is common here. The neighborhood scores well on health environment (79.69) and safety (72.41), making it a comfortable choice for families with young children.
Auburndale is a residential, car-dependent neighborhood. Most families drive or get dropped off, though some walking is possible from nearby blocks. Transit options are limited compared to Manhattan or other parts of Queens.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 266 families responded (61% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 162 John Golden a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 162 John Golden earns an overall quality score of 76/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 26 average.
- What grades does P.S. 162 John Golden serve?
- P.S. 162 John Golden serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 162 John Golden?
- P.S. 162 John Golden admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 162 John Golden public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 162 John Golden is a public school in NYC Community School District 26.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 162 John Golden in?
- P.S. 162 John Golden is in Auburndale, Queens.
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