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Our Insights

What’s Special

Small learning communities and International Baccalaureate (IB) program

The Downside

High number of bullying incidents

For years, John Adams High School teetered on the brink of closure and struggled to attract students. Its administration and faculty now believe the worst is behind them and see the school gradually rebounding, thanks to stronger academics, new programs and efforts to create a more welcoming environment.

Signs of progress: The graduation rate jumped from less than 55 percent in 2014 to nearly 71 percent in 2018. The attendance rate also slightly increased within that time frame, and chronic absenteeism declined. Perhaps most important, in 2016 the state removed John Adams from the list of schools threatened with state takeover. And, according to the New York Times, John Adams has been identified as a “rise” school, meaning it will no longer be considered a renewal school come the 2018-2019 school year.

Principal Daniel Scanlon came to the school in 2013. After reviewing the building and evaluating student feedback that indicated that many students did not want to be at John Adams—which Scanlon himself described as having been punitive and drab—he set out to enact change.

To improve discipline, John Adams has implemented Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS), which focuses on rewarding and reinforcing positive actions. As a result, the suspension rate has dropped to just 1 percent, which is below the citywide average.

The school has restructured its academics and is now divided into several small learning communities (SLCs), aiming to provide students with both the resources of a large school and the sense of community and individualized attention offered at a small school.

There are eight SLC programs: STEM; the Future Educators Academy; Media and Fine Arts Academy; Pre-Med Academy; Justice, Law and International Studies Academy; a Newcomers Institute; the International Baccalaureate (IB) program; and the Queens Business Institute. Within these SLCs, there is one new career and technical education (CTE) program in law. The school is developing a CTE program in business.

John Adams added its selective IB program in the fall of 2016. It offers a challenging curriculum that stresses student projects and the development of research skills. The school also offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and College Now classes.

After school, students can participate in a number of extracurricular activities, such as the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program, robotics, debate, school band and many PSAL sports, including cricket and girls lacrosse.

"We want to try to make opportunities available to kids," Scanlon said. "We're trying to find something for every student."

Despite these changes, the school still has room for improvement. Chalkbeat said John Adams, with 2,300 students, had 21 confirmed instances of bullying in the first half of the 2017-2018 school year. Half of the student body thinks that bullying happens frequently, according to school surveys.

The school is located in Ozone Park and has an on-site health clinic operated by North Shore LIJ health network.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Adams offers a range of supports, including tutoring services as wells as self-contained and integrated co-teaching (ICT) classes.

(Gail Robinson, March 2015; updated June 2018)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
87%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
80%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
71%
Average daily attendance
 
82%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
54%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
84%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
87%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

2379
Number of students
Citywide Average is 599

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
75%
Students with disabilities
 
15%
Multilingual learners
 
14%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
0%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
78%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
56%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
40%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
78%
1.1
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
165
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 157

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
86%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2021-22 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2021 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Advanced Courses

Which students have access to advanced courses at this school? Learn more

Calculus

 
1%

Computer Science

 
8%

Physics

 
11%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
14%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
37%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
17%

Music

 
23%
From unpublished, anonymized data from the 2021-22 school year provided by the New York State Education Department, brought to you by

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
57%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
78%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
56%
From the 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
54%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

STEM and International Baccalaureate Academy (Q10A)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

The STEM Academy is a SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEER & MATHEMATICS based Small Learning Community, in which students engage in rigorous programs of study for preparedness in life, college and career. The mission of the STEM-IB Program is to develop well-informed and highly motivated students who are ready to engage their local and global communities. Our students learn from teachers who are passionate about their careers, their expertise and their students' future. The STEM Academy builds opportunities for immersive instruction in Computer Maintenance and Repair, Information Technology Fundamentals, Robotics, Virtual Reality and Computer Science. These courses culminate in the ability to earn industry credits and opportunities to exercise their skills in real world experiences/internships. Additionally, our students are also encouraged to get a running start for college by taking International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, SUNY Farmingdale and CUNY College Now courses. These courses will allow you to learn college readiness skills and earn upwards of 45 college credits (3 full-time college semesters). With these outstanding college level opportunities, students who specifically engage in the IB coursework will participate in a writing based college program that teaches students key life/college skills, exposure to conversations of the global community, and the internationally recognized IB Diploma

Justice, Law, and International Studies Academy (Q10B)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The Justice, Law, and International Studies Academy offers a comprehensive look at the United States Legal System on a Federal and Local level through an 8-course CTE-style curriculum provided by the Justice Resource Center of NYC. The curriculum includes: Intro to Law, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Mock Trial, Constitutional Law, Legal Research, and Financial Literacy. The program also offers a variety of opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in the legal world including: Moot Court and Mock Trial competition teams, internships with various law firms around the city, visits to Federal Court proceedings, plus after school programs and classroom visits from the Queens District Attorneys Office. In addition to the curriculum and opportunities, the Justice, Law, and International Studies Academy now offers a 4 course, 12 credit College Now Program from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies taught at John Adams High School by actual college professors, joining the school-wide effort to push the college preparatory initiative for all students.

Pre-Med Academy and International Baccalaureate Academy (Q10C)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

The PRE-MED Academy is a dynamic academic community in which students explore the various opportunities within the world of health and medicine. The 4 year course load provided to our PRE-MED students equips them with knowledge, skills, and competencies to be successful in a premedical program at a university. PRE-MED students have the ability to be tracked as an IB (international baccalaureate) student where they can earn up to 30 college credits OR they can be tracked as a Medical Assisting Student where they will prepare to take a medical assisting licensing exam. Alongside the PRE-MED electives; Healthcare CORE, First Aid/CPR, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, and Medical Assisting 1 and 2, the PRE-MED students also have the ability to take AP, College Now, and other college accredited courses. Both Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology are college accredited via our partnership with both SUNY Farmingdale and St. John's University

Media and Fine Arts Academy (Q10D)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The Media and Fine Arts Academy is a learning community that prepares students for careers in communications, visual and performing arts with a blend of music production, video production studio art, media, graphic design and professional photography. Students will be exposed to rigorous curricula designed to expand their minds and challenge them to design the school yearbook, participate in specialty classes, and participate in dual enrollment programs for college credit through our partnership with SUNY Farmingdale and CUNY York College. The Media and Fine Arts academy specializes in providing an arts education while also challenging their students with a college level curriculum. All Media students can enroll in various prestigious programs such as IB, Advanced Placement and additional college credit bearing classes through. The Media Academy continuously exposes our students to extracurricular activities and projects like the John Adams Fashion show, the theater arts program, photo shoots, paint nights, and musicals. The students in the graphic arts program have an opportunity to obtain the Adobe certified associate certification. Our program has revamped all specialty classes to include state of the art art rooms, technology, cameras, and lighting, and musical instruments so that our students experience top of the line equipment fully funded by John Adams High School.

Business and Finance Academy (Q10E)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The Business and Finance Academy is a learning community that will allow students to develop professional skills, values and attitudes, while exploring their interests and talents. Through our curriculum, students will learn the ins and outs of starting and running a business, and will be prepared to pursue careers in marketing, finance, human resources, sports management, IT, retail, sales, communications & more. Students have the opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom through job shadowing, travel opportunities, business competitions, mentoring by corporate partners, and internships that will bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. Our Social Media Marketing/Sports, Fashion and Entertainment Marketing, Personal Finance & Investing, and Virtual Enterprise courses allow our business students to earn college credit from our partnership with both Farmingdale and St. Johns University. Students also have the opportunity to take AP courses & other college accredited courses. Business students who complete our NYS/ NYC approved 3-year CTE Business sequence will receive a seal on their diploma at graduation indicating that they have the skills, work experience, and specific industry certifications necessary to succeed in the competitive economy, giving them a head start in their careers and/or college.

Future Educators and Leadership Academy (FELA) (Q10G)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

The Future Educators and Leadership Academy (FELA) is one of the three screened Small Learning Communities offered at John Adams High School. During their time at John Adams High School, FELA focuses on preparing students to pursue career paths in education and leadership. Our rigorous program helps students develop traits important to these specific career tracks by emphasizing hands-on teaching, character building, and communication skills through the lens of elective courses, in-house leadership and teaching opportunities, citywide internship opportunities, and Summer Youth Employment

Zoned (Q10Z)

Admissions Method: Zoned Guarantee

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Bengali, French, Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, Arts (College Course [Credited]), Biology (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Econ/Gov (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), IB Biology HL, IB English HL, IB History SL, IB Mathematics HL, IB Spanish HL, Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Science (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Flag Football, Golf, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball

Coed PSAL teams

Cricket

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

101-01 Rockaway Boulevard
Queens NY 11417

Trains: A Line to 104th St-Oxford Av

Buses: Q11, Q112, Q21, Q37, Q41, Q52-SBS, Q53-SBS, Q7, Q8, QM15


Contact

Principal: Pedro Cubero

Parent Coordinator: Ntina Zatse

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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