At PS 174, students receive a first-rate academic education while also taking part in numerous learning experiences outside the classroom.

Housed in a two-story, red-brick building that's surrounded by neat, single-family brick homes, PS 174 is a serious, orderly school that attracts children of educated newcomers from Asia and the Middle East who move to the neighborhood because of the school's reputation.

Classrooms are orderly and well-stocked with books. The hallways are spotless and abundantly lined with student work that demonstrate high levels of learning. Children have recess every day, and the Parents Association has worked to keep updated equipment in the playground.

Parents describe the school as traditional, with a focus on academic rigor, but there is some hands-on learning where students demonstrate their knowledge through projects or class presentations rather than just exams. Homework is not excessive, and parents are welcome in the school, in classrooms and on school field trips.

Despite budget cuts, the school has kept its art, music and dance offerings. Each grade has an "art residency," which brings a city cultural organization into the school and sponsors field trips. There are partnerships with the New York Historical Society, a ballroom dancing group, the Queens Botanical Garden, Victory Theatre and the Joyce Dance Theatre.

Having been a teacher and literacy coach at PS 174 for 15 years before becoming principal in spring 2006, Kelly knows the school well and her enthusiasm is infectious. Still, she has not won over all of the teachers, half of whom said she was neither an effective manager on the 2011 Learning Environment Survey.

Laura Hui, the parent coordinator, said she works hard to build parent involvement, but that this can be difficult because many students come from homes with working parents or immigrants who speak little English. Although some parents have attended training workshops for the Learning Leaders parent-volunteer program, attendance at parent association events is modest, we were told. A monthly breakfast meeting called First Cup, which Hui helped start in February 2007, is open to parents who, after dropping off their children, want to ask questions, air concerns, or simply get to know one another.

After school: Creative dance, music, art and homework are available for a fee.

Middle school: Russell Sage is a popular choice. Some high performing students choose the honors program at Halsey.

Special education: There are Integrated Co-Teaching classes, which combine special and general education students, in most grades.

Admissions: Neighborhood school. District 28 Gifted and Talented program. (Richard Yeh, February 2007; Meredith Kolodner, updated March 2012 with interviews and Ed. Dept. data)