PS 80 The Thurgood Marshall Magnet School of Multimedia and Communication

The 2025 test scores show PS 80 at 62% ELA and 60.7% math proficiency — essentially matching the district averages of 62.8% and 62.8% respectively. This is a dramatic turnaround from just three years ago, when the school posted 26.2% ELA and 27.6% math in 2022. The upward trajectory is real and sustained, with scores climbing each year since the pandemic dip. That said, the overall quality score of 2.45 out of 4 remains slightly below the district average of 2.51, and teacher instruction quality (87%) trails the district average of 91.7%. Grade-level breakdown shows strong third-grade performance (67.9% ELA, 72.4% math) but some slippage in fifth-grade math (51.1%), suggesting the upper grades may need additional support.

The climate data tells a nuanced story. On the positive side, relationships between families and staff are exceptionally strong: 100% of parents report strong relationships, 95% trust teachers, and 96% trust the principal. Teacher-reported safety is 94%, above the district average. There were zero suspensions in 2023-24. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 61.5% — far above what families would want to see, with female students (65.2%) and Black students (66.1%) missing the most school. The teacher survey response rate was very low (33 responses), which makes some of the teacher-reported metrics harder to trust, though those who did respond showed high collegial trust (93%). The zero-suspension trend is a genuine strength for a school serving a high-need population.

PS 80 serves 385 students in a school that is 82% Black, 9% Hispanic, and has very little racial diversity overall (diversity index of 39%). This mirrors the neighborhood demographics in Springfield Gardens, which is predominantly Black with a median household income of $74,543 and a 24.9% college-educated population — somewhat below city averages but not low-income. The economic need index of 64.9% indicates significant need, and 20% of students have IEPs. Class sizes average 24.5 students, exactly matching the district average.

Springfield Gardens in Southeast Queens is a predominantly residential area with moderate safety scores (60.92) and a homeownership rate of 37.3% — higher than many parts of the city. The neighborhood scores well on health environment (85.06) but lower on transit access (37.16) and education orientation (30.65), suggesting this is more of a bedroom community than an education-focused hub. The poverty rate is a modest 11.3%, and families with children make up about 20% of households. Families should expect to need a car or rely on busing, as transit options are limited.

Transit access is limited — families will likely drive or rely on school buses, as the area scores low on transit connectivity