At a Glance
A middle school with rock-solid trust metrics and zero suspensions, sitting in a working-class Queens neighborhood where families value straightforward communication over flashy programs.
Families who prioritize a safe, trusting environment with strong teacher-parent communication over raw academic metrics. Parents comfortable with a school that may not match the top-performing district peers academically but offers a supportive, low-drama middle school experience. Those who value the zero-tolerance discipline approach and want a school where their child can navigate adolescence without escalating conflicts.
- Zero suspensions for two consecutive years — exceptional for a middle school
- Teacher trust in leadership (93%) and collegial trust (93%) are well above district averages
- High family survey response rate (50%) indicates strong parent engagement
- Small teacher survey (15 responses) suggests very few teachers — likely a tight-knit staff
- No academic data available — families should request student performance details directly
- No ELA or Math proficiency data provided — ask for recent state test results
- Below-average safety score (45.59 percentile) for the neighborhood
- Low percentage of households with children (17%) means fewer neighborhood peers
- Very small teaching staff — may mean limited course offerings or specialty subjects
- Parent satisfaction (91%) trails the district average (93.22%) — ask what areas concern families
Based on 2023-2024 data
School SummaryDistrict 30
District 30 includes some of Queens' highest-performing schools, like The 30th Avenue School (97/100) and Baccalaureate School for Global Education (96/100). Without test score data, it's difficult to place Sunnyside Middle School on that spectrum. The peer schools listed all score in the 80s-90s, suggesting this school may underperform academically compared to district peers — or it simply wasn't included in the dataset. What the data does show is a school that parents trust and where teachers feel supported.
Test score data was not provided for this school, so academic performance cannot be compared to district averages of 60.67% in ELA and 62.15% in Math. Families should inquire directly about student progress and academic programming.
This is where the school shines. Teacher trust in leadership reaches 93%, and 90% of teachers rate instruction quality as strong — numbers that beat the district average. Parents echo that confidence: 91% report satisfaction, with particularly strong marks for how the school communicates. The discipline record is exceptional: zero suspensions in 2023-24, compared to a district average of 0.275%. This suggests either effective behavioral support or a student population that doesn't trigger formal disciplinary action — worth asking about during a tour.
The neighborhood has a moderate poverty rate of 12% and below-average homeownership at 21.7%, meaning most families rent. With 17% of households having children — a relatively low figure — this isn't a classic family-heavy enclave, but those who are here tend to stay. The student body likely reflects this mix of working-class and middle-class families, with the school serving as a neighborhood anchor.
Sunnyside is a solid, unpretentious Queens neighborhood — not trendy like nearby Astoria but more affordable and grounded. Safety scores (45.59 percentile) are below average, which parents should factor in. Transit access is decent (49.81 percentile) for getting around the borough. The area has some parks and local businesses but isn't highlighted for family-specific amenities. Lead exposure rates (12.6%) and asthma rates (54.6 per 1000) are health considerations worth discussing with the school nurse.
The neighborhood is moderately walkable. Families from nearby blocks can walk; those coming from farther afield likely rely on the Q32 bus or the 46th Street-Bliss Street station on the 7 line a few blocks away. Car traffic around Barnett Avenue can get heavy during drop-off and pick-up.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 124 families responded (50% rate)
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Sunnyside Middle School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Sunnyside Middle School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 6 to 8 in Sunnyside.
- What grades does Sunnyside Middle School serve?
- Sunnyside Middle School serves grades 6 to 8.
- Is Sunnyside Middle School public, charter, or private?
- Sunnyside Middle School is a public school in NYC Community School District 30.
- What neighborhood is Sunnyside Middle School in?
- Sunnyside Middle School is in Sunnyside, Queens.
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