P.S. 239

Test scores at P.S. 239 sit well below the District 24 averages — 31.9% ELA proficiency versus the district's 51.1%, and 33.3% math versus 54.8%. The school earned a 1.3 out of 4 overall, placing it among the lower-performing schools in the district. Looking at trends, scores peaked in 2019 (42.8% ELA) before the pandemic, then dropped sharply in 2022 (29.9% ELA, 18.1% math), and have since recovered partially but remain volatile. Grade 4 performs strongest in math (42.1%), while Grade 3 struggles most with both subjects.

The culture here is the story beneath the scores. Parent satisfaction hits 95%, with 97% reporting strong relationships and 96% trusting the principal. Teachers rate instruction quality at 92%, and safety perceptions are solid at 93%. However, there are cracks in the adult culture: teacher-principal trust sits at 84% and teacher collegial trust at 83% — notably lower than the parent metrics. Attendance is a concern: while the overall rate is 92%, chronic absenteeism is a striking 74.1%, meaning most students are missing significant school time. The discipline record is spotless — zero suspensions — which reflects a restorative or supportive approach to behavior.

This is a high-need community: 77.7% economic need index and 21% IEP students. The student body is 76% Hispanic, 10% White, 9% Asian, and 2% Black — reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. Despite modest income levels (median household income around $83,500), families punch above their weight on school involvement: PTA fundraising averages $95 per student, nearly triple the district average. That engagement signals strong community buy-in even when academic outcomes are struggling.

Ridgewood is a dense, transit-friendly Queens neighborhood with a working-class history and growing diversity. The area scores reasonably well on transit (73) and family density (61), but safety scores are lower (40) — something families should factor in. There's a mix of small businesses, blue-collar employers, and residential streets. The homeownership rate is low (20%), meaning many families rent, and the area has seen development pressure as Brooklyn spillover pushes east. Parks and green space are limited compared to some Queens neighborhoods.

Ridgewood is highly walkable, and most zoned families arrive on foot. The area is served by multiple bus routes and is near the Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenue subway junction, making it accessible without a car for families across the broader area.