P.S./I.S. 78Q

The numbers here are striking: 82.8% ELA proficiency and 84.5% math proficiency place this school roughly 22 percentage points above the District 30 average in both subjects. The trajectory is equally impressive — from 2016 when just 60.7% of students passed ELA and 53.5% passed math, the school has added more than 20 points in each subject. The 3.35 overall score from the city’s quality review reflects a school operating at a consistently high level across grade levels, with 3rd and 4th graders showing the strongest math results (86.7% and 90.1% respectively). This isn’t a school that excels in one pocket — the proficiency rates hold relatively steady from grades 3 through 8.

If test scores were everything, this would be a remarkable school. But the survey data reveals something more nuanced: teachers here report 100% trust in leadership and 100% safety, numbers that are virtually unheard of in NYC public schools. Parents give similarly high marks — 90% satisfaction and 93% trust in the principal. The discipline record is essentially spotless with just one suspension in the past three years. However, there's a notable tension: chronic absenteeism sits at 82.2%, which is remarkably high despite a 93.4% attendance rate. This suggests a pattern where many families keep children home for extended stretches, possibly reflecting the socioeconomic profile of the neighborhood — families with resources who travel frequently or prioritize non-school activities. The near-zero suspension rate and strong relationship scores suggest a collaborative, trusting environment rather than a punitive one.

With 36% white, 28% Asian, 24% Hispanic, and 5% Black students, this school’s demographics reflect the changing face of Long Island City — a neighborhood that has gentrified rapidly but retains strong immigrant roots. The diversity index of 80% is notable, though the economic need index of just 20.3% signals that most families here are comfortable. The 12% of students with IEPs is relatively standard, and the school offers ELL support alongside accelerated academic programs. This isn’t a school serving extreme poverty or extreme wealth — it’s a middle-ground, high-performing community school that happens to sit in one of Queens’ most desirable neighborhoods.

Long Island City-Hunters Point has transformed over the past two decades from an industrial waterfront into one of Queens’ most coveted residential neighborhoods. The median home value of $899,296 and household income approaching $159,000 tell the story: families here have resources. The education orientation score of 91.19 is exceptional, reflecting a community where parents prioritize school quality. Transit access (81.61) is excellent thanks to the 7, G, and E trains, though the safety score of 43.68 is moderate — crime density figures are elevated, which is common in densely populated urban waterfront areas. The family density score of 41.76 indicates this is more of a young-professional and new-family neighborhood than a classic family suburb with kids on every block.

Families primarily walk or take public transit — the neighborhood’s grid layout and strong transit options make car-free living common. Many families live within the zoned area and walk younger children to school, while those from slightly farther afield rely on the nearby 7 train or bus routes.