At a Glance
A rapidly improving zoned elementary school in Southeast Queens where math scores now outpace the district average — though chronic absenteeism remains a hurdle
Families zoned for this Southeast Queens neighborhood who value a school with strong family-teacher relationships and a STEM focus — particularly those whose children struggle in larger schools. Best for families who can be actively involved in addressing attendance, given the chronic absenteeism challenge, or those who want a math-strong program. The school's upward trajectory makes it appealing for families who believe in catching the wave of improvement rather than choosing a finished product.
- Math proficiency now exceeds the district average — a major turnaround from where the school was nine years ago
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years — an unusually strong discipline record
- Near-universal family trust scores: 96% parent-teacher trust, 95% principal trust, 100% report strong relationships
- STEM focus embedded in the school's identity and programming
- Chronic absenteeism at 63.5% is far above typical rates — this affects classroom momentum and may indicate family challenges with attendance logistics
- ELA proficiency at 52% still trails the district average of 63% — students may need additional reading support
- Teacher-principal trust at 77% is notably lower than family trust — there may be leadership communication gaps from the staff perspective
- Limited transit access means the school works best for zoned families or those with reliable transportation
- Survey response rates are low (20 teacher responses, 25% family response) — the high satisfaction scores come from a smaller subset
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 28
Among District 28's peer schools, The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens does not appear in the top-tier peer list (which includes P.S. 196 at 97/100 and The Academy for Excellence through the Arts at 95/100). The school's 2.36 overall score places it below the district average of 2.51, though its math performance outpaces many peers. It occupies a middle position in the district — strong on climate and family engagement, still building on academic outcomes.
The school's academic story is one of persistence. Math proficiency at 66.1% actually exceeds the district average of 62.8% — a meaningful achievement for a school that was at just 15% math proficiency in 2016. ELA at 51.7% still lags the district average of 62.8%, but has more than tripled from its 2016 baseline. The school scores 2.36 out of 4 overall, slightly below the district average of 2.51, placing it in the middle tier of District 28 schools. Grade-level data shows strong performance in Grade 3 math (77%) and consistent performance across grades 3-5 in both subjects.
The school's climate data tells a story of strong community ties despite attendance challenges. Parent satisfaction sits at 93%, with parent-teacher trust at 96% and parent-principal trust at 95% — these are exceptional numbers that suggest families feel genuinely connected to the school. Teachers report 92% instruction quality and 86% feeling safe at work, though teacher-principal trust is lower at 77%. The discipline record is pristine: zero suspensions across the past three school years, a rarity in any public school. However, chronic absenteeism at 63.5% is alarmingly high — significantly above what most schools experience — suggesting that getting students to show up consistently is a real struggle.
This is a predominantly Black school community: 80% of students are Black, with 12% Hispanic, 4% multiracial, and small Asian and Native American populations. The economic need index of 64.4% indicates a high-need student population, with 15% receiving special education services. Total enrollment is 502 students across grades PK-5, with an average class size of 24.5 that matches the district average. The community served reflects the neighborhood demographics — working and middle-class families in a section of Queens where households with children represent about 20% of residents.
Springfield Gardens and Rochdale Village is a residential neighborhood in Southeast Queens characterized by tree-lined blocks and a mix of single-family homes and co-op housing. The area scores moderately on safety (61st percentile) and stability (55th percentile), with strong health environment scores (85th percentile). Transit access is limited (37th percentile), meaning most families rely on cars or buses. The neighborhood has a 24.9% college-educated adult population and median household income of about $75K — solidly middle-class. There are parks and green spaces nearby, and the area is known for its community-oriented feel.
The neighborhood is residential and walkable for families who live nearby, but limited transit options mean many parents drive or rely on school buses; families should expect a commute if coming from outside the zone
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 122 families responded (25% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens a good school?
- On Motley, The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens earns an overall quality score of 59/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 28 average.
- What grades does The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens serve?
- The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens?
- The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens public, charter, or private?
- The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens is a public school in NYC Community School District 28.
- What neighborhood is The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens in?
- The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens is in Springfield Gardens (North)-Rochdale Village, Queens.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.