Richard S. Grossley (J.H.S. 8)

MS 8, also called New Preparatory Middle School, has long been a struggling school, but a popular principal may be turning things around. Morale among teachers has improved since Katiana Louissaint became principal in 2017, Chalkbeat reported. While academics and school climate have a ways to go, enrollment is rising and attendance has improved.

MS 8 has an open door policy for families as well as a parent room staffed by the parent coordinator and the PTA president, according to the school’s Comprehensive Education Plan. The yearly parent calendar informs parents of all school activities, including monthly instructional learning walks through the school and classrooms.

The school offers Korean and Spanish language classes. Students have participated in essay contests and the Scripps Spelling Bee. The school has hosted overnight field trips to Washington D.C., and upstate New York.

The Southern Queens Park Association and Child Center of NY provide tutors and social workers. Grade level assemblies are tackling issues around bullying and behavior.

Clubs such as Girls Empowered and Motivated for Success (GEMS), Project Boost and National Honors Society (NHS), Student Government, Lunch Bunch and Young Men's Initiative (YMI) support students as they develop leadership skills and get involved in the school community. The groups also support a range of students, as Project Boost (helps students get into competitive high schools) and NHS are offered to the highest achievers. YMI is an empowerment group for male students focusing on mentoring and tutoring to close the achievement gap.

The school shares a building with York Early College Academy and with the Emerson School.

Admissions: Open to students and residents of Queens with zone priority. (Melanie Quiroz, web reports and DOE data, April 2019)