The Richard H. Hungerford School

State assessment data is not provided for this school, which is typical for special education programs that serve students with significant cognitive and developmental disabilities. The economic need index of 90.7% reflects the substantial challenges this student population faces, and the school operates with a standard class size of 23.4 students — equal to the district average. Without comparative ELA or math proficiency data, the academic picture relies on qualitative measures like the 89% teacher-reported instruction quality rating, which falls below the district average of 93%.

The school's climate data reveals strong family engagement alongside some internal leadership tensions. Parents report exceptionally high trust in teachers (97%) and principals (96%), and overall satisfaction matches the district average at 93%. However, teacher-principal trust sits at 78% — notably lower than parent trust — with teacher collegial trust at 82%. The 0% suspension rate is exceptional and suggests either effective behavioral supports or a student population with different disciplinary needs. Teacher instruction quality ratings (89%) trail the district average by several points, which may correlate with the lower trust in leadership.

The school draws from a diverse student body with a diversity index of 75%, reflecting the broader Staten Island demographic shifts. The population is 41% Hispanic, 32% White, 17% Black, and 8% Asian, with 90.7% of students meeting the economic need index threshold. This is a high-need community — nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch and receive support services. The neighborhood around Tompkins Avenue has a 25.9% poverty rate and only 27.5% of adults hold bachelor's degrees, suggesting many families are working-class or facing economic hardship.

The Tompkinsville-Stapleton-Clifton-Fox Hills neighborhood on Staten Island is an urban environment with mixed residential and commercial areas. Safety scores are notably low (37.93 percentile), which parents should factor into their commute and after-school planning. Transit access is strong (71.65 percentile), making the school reachable by bus. The area has moderate environmental health concerns, including elevated lead rates and asthma emergency department visits. Family density is low (26.44 percentile), meaning fewer children live nearby compared to other parts of Staten Island, which may affect carpooling and informal neighborhood connections.

The school is located on Tompkins Avenue, a main thoroughfare with decent transit connections. Families from across Staten Island typically commute by car or bus, as the school serves as a district-wide special education option rather than a neighborhood zoned school.