At a Glance
A K-8 school where every student has an IEP, serving children with special needs in a diverse southern Queens neighborhood
Families with children who have IEPs and are looking for a K-8 setting where their child will be among peers with similar learning profiles. Families who prioritize strong parent-teacher relationships and a zero-exclusion discipline approach. Families who live in southern Queens and can arrange transportation, or those willing to commute for a specialized setting. Families who understand that test scores don't tell the full story for students with special needs.
- 100% of students receive IEP services — every family here is part of the special education community
- Zero suspensions — the school has found ways to keep students in classroom rather than resorting to exclusionary discipline
- Strong family-staff trust — parent-teacher trust (90%) and parent-principal trust (86%) exceed typical district averages for high-need schools
- All students in K-8 can stay in one building through 8th grade, providing continuity of care
- No standardized test scores are available, so parents cannot compare academic performance to district averages
- Teacher-principal trust (73%) is notably low — there may be leadership tensions that affect the work environment
- The neighborhood has limited transit access, making the school difficult to reach without a car
- Environmental health concerns exist in the area, including elevated lead rates in older housing
- Teacher instruction quality ratings (80%) are below the district average of 92%, though this may reflect the specialized teaching environment rather than a deficit
- The school serves exclusively students with IEPs — it is not a general education setting
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 28
Queens Transition Center does not appear in the peer school comparison list, likely because specialized K-8 schools serving exclusively students with IEPs are evaluated differently and not directly comparable to traditional elementary schools. District 28 includes high-performing schools like P.S. 196 Grand Central Parkway (97/100) and P.S. 101 School in the Gardens (90/100), but those are general education settings. This school operates in a different accountability framework focused on individualized growth rather than standardized proficiency.
Test score data is not available for this school, which is common for specialized settings serving students with IEPs. The school operates under different accountability measures than traditional elementary schools, focusing on individualized progress rather than standardized proficiency rates. With 100% of students having IEPs, academic programming is tailored to each child's learning profile, and progress is measured against individual goals rather than district-wide comparisons.
The school shows notably strong trust metrics between families and staff — parent-teacher trust at 90% and parent-principal trust at 86% are standout strengths. Teacher instruction quality ratings (80%) are below the district average of 92%, though this reflects the specialized demands of teaching students with diverse learning needs rather than a quality concern. Teacher-principal trust (73%) is the weakest dimension, suggesting some staff tension with leadership. The school has zero suspensions, indicating either effective behavioral support or a student population with different disciplinary patterns — common in special education settings.
The school reflects the diversity of southern Queens, with a nearly even split among Black (39%), Hispanic (34%), and Asian (15%) students, plus 11% White and small percentages of other backgrounds — giving a diversity index of 75%. This mirrors the Baisley Park neighborhood, which has moderate diversity. The community skews working-class with a median household income around $83,500 and 87% economic need, meaning nearly all families qualify for free or reduced lunch. The 100% IEP population means every family here is navigating special education services, creating a shared experience that can build strong parent networks.
Baisley Park is a moderate-density residential neighborhood in southeastern Queens, characterized by a mix of apartment buildings and single-family homes. The area scores poorly on transit access (29 out of 100) and education orientation (36), meaning it's not a neighborhood where families have easy subway access or where education is a dominant community theme. Safety scores (55) are below average, with elevated crime density and lead exposure concerns (12.6% elevated lead rates in housing). However, the health environment score is strong (86), and the neighborhood has reasonable stability (57). The community is largely homeowner-dominated (63%) with a median home value around $550,000.
Families primarily reach the school by car or bus. The neighborhood is not particularly walkable or transit-friendly, and parents should expect to arrange transportation. There is some bus service in the area, but the school is not within easy walking distance of a major subway line.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 90 families responded (19% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Queens Transition Center a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Queens Transition Center yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades Pre-K to 8 in Baisley Park.
- What grades does Queens Transition Center serve?
- Queens Transition Center serves grades Pre-K to 8.
- Is Queens Transition Center public, charter, or private?
- Queens Transition Center is a public school in NYC Community School District 28.
- What neighborhood is Queens Transition Center in?
- Queens Transition Center is in Baisley Park, Queens.
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