P.S. 273

P.S. 273 performs roughly in line with the district average in ELA (57.7% vs. 56.1%) but slightly below in math (54.6% vs. 57.3%). The school has come a long way from 2016, when only 45% of students were proficient in ELA — that's a 13-point gain over nine years. However, performance varies significantly by grade: third graders are thriving with 81% ELA and 74% math proficiency, while fifth graders are at 43.5% ELA and 45.7% math, suggesting the school may be stronger at supporting early elementary growth than sustaining it through upper grades.

The culture here is a study in contrasts. Parents absolutely love this school — 95% satisfied, 97% trusting teachers, 98% trusting the principal, and every single family surveyed reported strong relationships. Teachers themselves rate instruction quality at 96%, which is well above the district average. There have been zero suspensions for three straight years, which is impressive. But there's a flip side: teacher-principal trust is only 74% and teacher collegial trust is 71%, suggesting some tension among staff. And then there's chronic absenteeism — at 59.4%, it's remarkably high, meaning a lot of students are missing significant school time.

With 318 students, this is a small-to-medium zoned school in a working-to-middle-class Queens neighborhood. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (75%), reflecting the surrounding community, with meaningful Asian (15%) representation. Nearly 70% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating significant economic need. About 18% have IEPs, slightly above typical. The diversity index of 48% is moderate. This is a neighborhood school serving its community — not a selective or themed program.

Richmond Hill is a dense, historically working-class Queens neighborhood with a strong sense of community and relatively affordable housing for the borough. Nearly half of residents own their homes, which contributes to neighborhood stability. The area has a moderate safety profile and decent transit options. Family density is relatively high at 64th percentile, meaning lots of families with kids in the area. There are parks and local businesses along the commercial strips, and the neighborhood has a Caribbean and South Asian flavor in its food and cultural offerings.

Families in the zoned area can walk to school, and many do — the neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly with tree-lined streets. For those coming from outside the zone, public transit options connect to the area, though driving and parking can be challenging during school pickup times.