P.S. 89Q: The Jose Peralta School of Dreamers

ELA proficiency of 44.8% and math of 45% both land below the district averages of 51.1% and 54.8%, respectively. The bigger story is the trend: math cratered at 29.5% in 2022 and has since climbed back to 45%, while ELA dipped to 34.7% in 2024 before rebounding to 44.8% in 2025. Neither subject has returned to its 2019 peak, but the direction of travel is clearly upward. Fifth-graders outperform third- and fourth-graders on both measures, suggesting students who stay through the upper grades gain ground.

The day-to-day feel here is unusually family-forward. Parent satisfaction runs at 95% (above the district's 93.9%), parent-teacher trust sits at 97%, and an 89% family survey response rate with 903 responses signals that parents are plugged in. Teachers rate their own instructional quality at 93% (above district) and trust their principal at 97%. The discipline picture is clean — zero suspensions in each of the last three years. Two things parents should know: chronic absenteeism is high at 73.3%, meaning nearly three-quarters of students missed enough school to flag as chronically absent, and teacher-reported safety at 87% runs notably below the district's 94.9%. Attendance overall is right at the district average (92.3% vs 92.7%), so the chronic absenteeism rate likely reflects concentrated patterns rather than broad disengagement.

The student body mirrors Elmhurst's identity: 74% Hispanic and 23% Asian, with most families clustered in that mix. The economic need index of 79.7% means roughly four out of five students qualify as high need, and 17% have IEPs. PTA fundraising totals just $5 per student compared to the district's $32 — a reflection of household budgets more than disinterest, given how engaged families are on surveys. This is a working-class, immigrant-rooted community that shows up for its school even when resources are tight.

Elmhurst is one of the most densely settled, renter-heavy, family-rich corners of Queens. Median household income sits at $68,354, the poverty rate is 11.1%, and just over a quarter of households own their homes — most families rent. About 23.5% of households have children, and 30.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The neighborhood's character is immigrant and multigenerational, with strong working-class roots and a young family presence that keeps the local schools full.

Three subway options sit within a short walk: the 7 train at 90 St-Elmhurst Av and 82 St-Jackson Hts, plus the M and R at Elmhurst Av. Most families can get here without a car.