P.S./I.S. 266

Test scores at this school run about 15 points below the District 26 average in both ELA (60.2% vs 75.8%) and math (61.8% vs 80.2%), placing it in the lower tier of an otherwise high-performing district. The school's overall quality rating of 2.44 out of 4 reflects this gap. There's an interesting split in performance: students in grades 7-8 perform strongly (70-86% proficiency), while grades 5-6 struggle more (38-52%). The trend over the past decade has been relatively flat, with scores bouncing between 50-66% without a clear upward trajectory. Students here are catching up, not leading the pack.

The survey data reveals a school that has nailed the relationship piece but has work to do on the academic and attendance fronts. Parent trust scores are exceptional — 96% trust teachers and 92% trust the principal. Teachers also report strong trust in leadership (91%) and collegial bonds (82%). Instruction quality scores 86%, and teachers feel reasonably safe (86%, though this is notably below the district average of 98%). The attendance picture is concerning: while the overall attendance rate (93.2%) is close to district average, chronic absenteeism at 77.2% is extraordinarily high — meaning roughly 4 out of 5 students are missing significant school time. Discipline is a bright spot: zero suspensions for the past two years, a rare record in any middle school.

The student body is racially diverse (31% Asian, 28% Black, 26% Hispanic, 10% White) with a diversity index of 82%, reflecting the neighborhood's mix. About a quarter of students have IEPs, which is higher than typical. The economic need index of 39.2% is moderate — this isn't a high-poverty school, but it's also not affluent. The PTA raised about $25,000 last year ($47 per student), which is roughly half the district average per-student contribution. This suggests a community that cares about the school but may have less discretionary income for fundraising than neighboring areas.

Bellerose is a stable, residential Queens neighborhood known for single-family homes and a family-forward atmosphere. The median home value is $637,000 and homeownership rates are high at 70%, creating a tight-knit community feel. The neighborhood scores very high on stability (96.55) and education orientation (81.23), meaning families here are invested in schools. Safety scores are solid at 75.1. However, transit access is limited (score of 21.46) — this is very much a car-dependent area, and most families will drive or get dropped off.

Bellerose is not a walkable neighborhood by NYC standards — most families drive or are driven. Transit options are limited, so a car or consistent rides are nearly essential.