P.S./ IS 178 Holliswood

Test scores at 53% ELA and 53% math place this school well below the District 26 average (76% ELA, 80% math), and the gap has persisted over recent years. Looking at the historical trend, scores peaked around 2018-2019, dropped significantly during the pandemic, and have been climbing back but haven't fully recovered to pre-COVID levels. Grade-level data shows stronger performance in younger grades (3rd grade math at 61%, 4th grade ELA at 63%) with more uneven results in middle school, particularly 5th and 6th grade math (both below 42%). The 2.13 overall score reflects these challenges — this isn't a high-performing school academically, though the rich programming includes honors classes and Regents-level courses for older students.

The survey data tells a nuanced story. Parents absolutely love this school — 92% trust the teachers and 93% trust the principal, and 100% report strong relationships. Teachers also feel collegial trust (93%) and report near-universal safety (95%). However, there's a notable disconnect in teacher-principal trust (70%) and only 71% rate instruction quality highly — both below district averages. Discipline is excellent with almost no suspensions. The real concern is attendance: only 92% daily attendance and a shocking 70.7% chronic absenteeism rate means nearly three-quarters of students are missing significant school time. This isn't a safety or behavior problem — it's a participation problem that likely affects learning outcomes.

This is a predominantly White (59%) student body in a neighborhood that's also largely White and affluent — median income $89K, only 10% poverty, 54% homeowners. The 20% Asian population is the largest minority group, with smaller Hispanic (11%) and Black (6%) representation. The diversity index of 66% is moderate, though the economic need index of just 31% indicates this is not a high-need school. With only 14% IEP students, the population skews toward general education. The PTA raised about $24,000 (or $47 per student) — well below the district average of $96 per student, which may reflect the neighborhood's lower engagement with fundraising compared to neighboring Douglaston or Oakland Gardens.

Jamaica Estates-Holliswood is a quiet, residential Queens neighborhood known for its single-family homes, tree-lined streets, and family-oriented feel. It's more suburban in character than most of the city — median home value of $800K reflects that. The area scores moderately for safety (64) and has an education orientation score of 72, indicating families here care about schools. Transit access is limited (score of 30) — this is very much a car-dependent neighborhood. There's not much within walking distance in terms of commercial corridors, but families appreciate the quiet, the yards, and the sense of community. The health environment score of 62 and asthma rates suggest typical urban air quality concerns.

This is a car-dependent neighborhood. Most families drive their children to school, and there's limited pedestrian infrastructure connecting to commercial areas. There's no subway access in the immediate area — families relying on transit would need to travel to nearby Jamaica or Forest Hills.