P.S. 213 The Carl Ullman School

With 65.6% ELA and 71.4% math proficiency, P.S. 213 runs about 10 points below the District 26 averages (75.8% ELA, 80.2% math). The scores have seesawed over the past decade — ELA peaked at 70.1% in 2018, dropped to 57.9% in pandemic-era 2022, and recovered to 65.6% in 2025. Math follows a similar pattern, reaching 74.6% in 2023 before settling at 71.4%. Grade-level data reveals a concerning slide: Grade 3 posts strong scores (91.8% math), but by Grade 5, math drops to 54.9% — a 37-point gap that suggests the curriculum may not be sustaining momentum as students advance.

This is where P.S. 213 genuinely shines. Parent satisfaction sits at 96% (above the 92% district average), with near-universal trust in teachers (99%) and the principal (98%). Teachers report 100% trust in leadership and collegial trust — a rare finding. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 80.9%, with Asian students at 86.8% and females at 82% — suggesting attendance culture may be an underaddressed challenge despite the strong relationship scores. Teacher-reported safety (96%) is slightly below the 97.7% district average but still high.

The student body is majority Asian (57%), with 21% Hispanic, 12% White, and 8% Black — reflecting the neighborhood's diverse, working-professional population. The economic need index of 48.5% is moderate, and 17% of students have IEPs. PTA fundraising is $64 per student, about two-thirds of the district average ($96), which may limit extra program funding. At 400 students, the school is small enough for personal relationships but large enough for typical elementary programming.

Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills is a stable, family-oriented Queens neighborhood with a 97th-percentile stability score, median household income of $104,212, and only 5.8% poverty. Homes are predominantly owner-occupied (72.5%), and 52.9% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher — a population that values education and expects responsiveness from schools. Safety scores are good (73/100), though transit access is limited (25.67), meaning most families drive or walk. Education orientation scores high at 73.95, indicating this is a neighborhood where schools matter.

With low transit scores, most families walk or drive. The area is residential and pedestrian-friendly for those who live within the zone, but longer commutes are typical for out-of-zone families.