P.S. Q086

P.S. Q086 now outperforms the district average in math (72% vs. 62.8%) and sits just below the district ELA average (61.1% vs. 62.8%). The trajectory is striking: math proficiency has climbed nearly 30 percentage points since 2016, and the school crossed a threshold in 2025 where both subjects now exceed district averages. Grade-level data shows particularly strong performance in upper elementary — fifth graders hit 79% math proficiency — suggesting strong instruction builds as students move through the grades.

This is a school where families feel heard: parent-principal trust hits 97% and parent satisfaction at 95% beats the district average. Teachers report strong collegial trust (88%) and solid trust in leadership (91%). Instruction quality scores 88%, slightly below the district average but still strong. The standout is discipline — zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, chronic absenteeism at 64.9% is a real concern, running highest among Asian families (70.4%) and males (66.4%), suggesting some families may face logistical or cultural barriers to regular attendance.

With 59% Asian and 32% Hispanic students, P.S. Q086 reflects the diverse makeup of central Queens. The economic need index of 78.1% indicates a majority of students come from households facing financial challenges, higher than many peer schools. At 624 students, the school is mid-sized with class sizes averaging 24.5 — identical to the district average. IEP students make up 14% of the population, and PTA fundraising is notably low at $7 per student compared to $165 district-wide, suggesting fewer extracurricular resources funded by families.

Jamaica Hills-Briarwood is a working-to-middle-class Queens neighborhood with a 13.4% poverty rate and median household income near $84,000. Homeownership is relatively strong at 40%, and the area has an education orientation score in the mid-50s — families here care about schools. Safety scores are moderate (47 out of 100), and transit access is limited (28), so most families drive or walk. There's a notable lead exposure concern (17.1% elevated lead rate) and asthma rates that should be on parents' radar.

Parsons Boulevard is a main thoroughfare with decent walkability for a Queens neighborhood; families from the immediate area typically walk or drive, though limited transit options mean car dependency is higher than in Manhattan or inner Brooklyn.