PS280Q: Home of the Lionhearts

Test scores at PS280Q show a bumpy trajectory — the school made real progress between 2016 and 2019, nearly doubling ELA proficiency from 27.9% to 45%, then dipped during the pandemic years before partially recovering. Current scores (38.8% ELA, 48.7% math) are significantly below District 30 averages (60.7% and 62.2% respectively), placing this school in the lower tier. Fifth graders perform strongest, with nearly half reaching proficiency in ELA, while third and fourth graders lag. The overall quality score of 1.75 out of 4 reflects this gap.

Here's what stands out: zero suspensions for three consecutive years, sky-high parent trust (98% for both teachers and principal), and a 94% parent satisfaction rate that exceeds the district average. Teachers report 86% instruction quality and 86% safety — both below district averages but still positive. The catch is chronic absenteeism at a striking 77.7%, meaning nearly 8 in 10 students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent. This likely reflects the broader challenges families face rather than school climate issues, given the strong trust scores. Teacher collegial trust sits at 77%, the lowest climate metric, suggesting some staff-level dynamics to navigate.

This is a predominantly Hispanic school (91%) serving a neighborhood with similar demographics in Jackson Heights. With 76.6% economic need index and an enrollment of 522 students, the community skews working-class. The diversity index is low at 22%, reflecting the neighborhood's relatively homogeneous population. About 14% of students have IEPs, roughly consistent with district patterns. Families here are largely zoned, meaning this is a neighborhood school in the truest sense — the student body mirrors the immediate community.

Jackson Heights is one of Queens' most family-dense neighborhoods (91st percentile), with 17.4% of households having children. It's a transit-connected, working-to-middle-class area with a median household income of $72,762 and median home value of $549,619. The neighborhood scores low on safety (24.52) but moderate on education orientation (54.02). Families will find a community rooted in immigrant and Hispanic culture, with plenty of local businesses and transit options. The area has seen increased development in recent years.

The school is in a densely built part of Jackson Heights near several bus routes and the 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue transit hub a short walk away. Many families walk or take public transit.