P.S. 186 Castlewood

P.S. 186 Castlewood's test scores place it squarely in the middle of District 26's competitive landscape — math proficiency at 82% edges above the district average of 80.2%, while ELA at 74.6% sits just below the 75.8% district average. The school's trajectory is the real story: after dropping to 56.8% ELA and 61.8% math in 2022 (likely pandemic-related), scores have climbed steadily to reach some of the highest levels in the school's recent history. Grade-level data shows particular strength in third-grade math (93.8%) and fifth-grade ELA (78.4%), suggesting strong early elementary instruction that carries through to upper grades.

The climate data paints a picture of a tight-knit school with serious attendance challenges. Teachers report 100% safety and 100% strong relationships — numbers that are rare across the city. Parent trust metrics are solid (94% parent-teacher trust, 88% principal trust), though parent satisfaction at 89% trails the district average of 92%. Instruction quality scores at 83% are slightly below the district's 90%, which may reflect the challenges of serving a student body where 31% have IEPs. The discipline record is exemplary: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, the chronic absenteeism rate of 82.2% is a significant concern — particularly the 97.2% rate among Black students, which suggests inequitable access or barriers to attendance that warrant attention.

With 372 students, P.S. 186 is a mid-sized elementary school in a demographically mixed neighborhood. The student body is 41% Asian, 26% White, 20% Hispanic, and 9% Black — reflecting the diversity of the surrounding area. The diversity index of 78% is notably high, and the economic need index of 34.2% is relatively low, indicating a student population that comes from more economically stable households compared to many Queens schools. The 31% IEP rate is above average, suggesting robust special education services. PTA fundraising of $184 per student exceeds the district average of $96, showing active family engagement.

The Glen Oaks-Floral Park-New Hyde Park neighborhood in central Queens is characterized by stability, homeownership, and family orientation. With a median household income of $115,393 and a poverty rate of just 7.7%, it's one of the more affluent areas in Queens. The homeownership rate of 75.1% and stability score of 98.47 reflect a community where families put down roots. Safety scores at 77.39 are solid, and the education orientation score of 77.39 indicates this is a neighborhood where families prioritize schools. Transit access is limited (score of 27.2), so most families will drive or walk.

Given the low transit score, most families arrive by car. The neighborhood is suburban in character with residential streets surrounding the school — families appreciate the quiet, residential feel but should plan for carpooling or walking given limited bus options.