The Hector Figueroa School

Both subjects sit well above the District 30 average: 73.1% ELA proficiency versus a district average of about 60.7%, and 82% in math versus roughly 62.2% district-wide. The 2025 scores represent a clear bounce-back year — ELA rose from 64.5% in 2024 and math jumped from 69.4% to 82%. Scores are strong across grades, but 5th grade is the standout: 79.6% ELA and 89.7% math proficiency. The overall quality score of 3.1/4 also lands above the district average of about 2.46, confirming the trend lines aren't a fluke.

The day-to-day feel here reads warm and tight-knit. 100% of teachers say there are strong schoolwide relationships, 98% rate instruction quality highly, and 100% feel safe — all comfortably above district averages. Parent trust numbers are unusually high too: 97% parent-teacher trust and 94% parent-principal trust, paired with a 95% family survey response rate, which is essentially unheard of and suggests families are engaged, not just satisfied on paper. Discipline is a non-issue — zero suspensions reported across three consecutive years. Attendance is a relative bright spot at 93.3%, slightly above the district average of 92.4%, but chronic absenteeism runs at 78.1%, meaning most students miss enough days to qualify — worth flagging even though it doesn't seem to derail outcomes here.

The student body reflects Jackson Heights' signature mix: 46% Hispanic, 40% Asian, 11% White, and a small multiracial slice, with a diversity index of 63%. The neighborhood is also majority Hispanic with substantial Asian and white populations, so families sending their kids here are likely seeing their own community reflected in the classroom. About 56% of students qualify for economic need, which tracks closely with the neighborhood's 13.9% poverty rate and $72,762 median income. The IEP rate is 8%, modest by city standards.

Jackson Heights is one of Queens' most established immigrant-rooted neighborhoods, with a median household income just over $72,000 and a poverty rate under 14%. About 17% of households have kids, and a third of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Homeownership is close to 40%, with a median home value around $549,000 — solidly middle-class for outer-borough Queens. It's a walking, transit-oriented area where many families don't necessarily own cars.

Three nearby subway options make drop-off flexible: the 65 St station (M, R lines) is about a 5-minute walk, the 69 St stop on the 7 train is roughly 9 minutes, and 74 St-Broadway on the 7 is about 10 minutes away.