P.S. Q177

Standard ELA and math proficiency figures aren't reported for this school, which is typical for a District 75 setting where students are assessed against individualized or alternate standards rather than grade-level state tests. The more meaningful academic signal here is instructional quality — 96% of teachers rate instruction positively, roughly six points above the district average of about 90% — suggesting teachers feel well-equipped to deliver the specialized programming students need. For parents, the academic measure that matters is progress on each student's IEP goals rather than comparison to district proficiency averages.

This is where the school truly shines. Parent-teacher and parent-principal trust both register at 98% — extraordinarily high numbers even in a district where parent satisfaction already averages above 92%. Teacher-reported safety hits 100% (district average around 98%) and the school recorded zero suspensions, pointing to a culture built on behavioral support rather than punitive discipline. Teacher-principal trust at 89% is solid, though the small gap with parent trust suggests leadership may be more visible to families than to staff — a minor wrinkle in an otherwise very cohesive school climate.

Every one of the 508 students here has an IEP, making this fundamentally a special education community rather than a mainstream school with support services. The student body is genuinely diverse — 31% Black, 24% Hispanic, 22% Asian, 19% White, with a diversity index of 83% — reflecting Queens' broader mix. The economic need index of 84% is fairly high, while Auburndale itself sits solidly middle-class with a median household income near $87,000 and a poverty rate under 9%, meaning many families likely travel here from outside the immediate neighborhood for the specialized programming.

Auburndale is a leafy, residential pocket of eastern Queens defined by single-family homes — 67% of households are owner-occupied and the median home value pushes $915,000, giving the area a stable, established feel. About one in five households includes children, and 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, painting a picture of a settled, family-oriented community. The neighborhood is solidly middle-class and quiet, but notably car-dependent for daily life.

There are no subway stations within a 20-minute walk of the school, so most families rely on a car, school transportation, or a local bus to get here.