P.S./M.S. 147 Ronald McNair

Test scores at McNair are well below District 29 averages — 37.9% in ELA versus the district's 56.9%, and 22.6% in math versus 53.7%. These aren't new struggles; the school has historically performed in the 30% range on state exams, though math has shown meaningful improvement from a low of 8.5% in 2022 to the current 22.6%. Grade-level data shows middle school students performing slightly better than elementary grades, with 6th and 7th graders hitting 42% and 41.9% in ELA respectively, while 5th graders lag at just 24.4%. The school earned an overall quality score of 1.21 out of 4 — below the district average of 2.21.

Survey data reveals a school where families feel heard and valued, even when outcomes are struggling — parent satisfaction sits at 89%, parent-principal trust at an impressive 95%, and parent-teacher trust at 93%. Teachers report 88% instruction quality, suggesting real instructional capacity. However, teacher-principal trust and collegial trust both sit at 76%, indicating some tension in professional relationships. Teacher-reported safety is 82% — notably below both the district average (93.9%) and what parents likely perceive. Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 58%, particularly affecting female students (60.9%) and Black students (63.6%). Discipline is minimal with only 4 suspensions last year and a downward trend from 7 the prior year.

McNair serves a nearly all-Black student body (81%) in a school where the surrounding Cambria Heights neighborhood is predominantly Black but considerably more affluent than the student population. The economic need index of 63.4% indicates many families face financial challenges, while the neighborhood's median household income of $115,211 and 86% homeownership suggest the broader community has resources. The diversity index of 37% reflects the school's homogeneous makeup, which is common for zoned schools in this area. Twenty-two percent of students have IEPs, indicating substantial special education services.

Cambria Heights is a quiet, residential neighborhood in southeastern Queens characterized by single-family homes, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of stability (scoring 98.85 on the stability metric). The area has very low poverty (5.4%), high homeownership (86.4%), and a median home value of $594,219. Safety scores are moderate (69.35 percentile), and the neighborhood scores well on health environment (60.54). Transit access is limited (40.23), meaning most families likely drive or walk to school. The area is less family-dense than other parts of the borough (24.14 percentile), with fewer households with children, which helps explain the school's small enrollment.

Cambria Heights is a car-dependent neighborhood with limited transit options. Most families drive or walk their children to school, and the area's quiet residential streets make walking safe, though there are few nearby subway lines.