Get more from InsideSchools
Village Academy
Share this school
Queens NY 11691
Our Insights
What’s Special
Cultivates a family-friendly tone
The Downside
Test scores have a ways to go
Founded in 2009, Village Academy is a tiny middle school that places a high priority on helping families as well as students. “Parents are key to the success of any child,” said Principal Doris Lee, and this accounts for the school's name, based on the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child."
“We support parents with finding employment, including writing resumes and providing interview clothes,” Lee told Practice Makes Perfect, a partner organization that provides academic support for Village Academy students. Parent workshop topics range from immigration to nutrition. Former students come back for help applying to college.
Lee sets a cheery and hopeful tone. Her own life story can inspire others: She grew up in public housing, and went on to earn a doctorate. “I knew that I wanted a better life and that education would support me in achieving my goal,” she told Practice Makes Perfect.
The school faces significant challenges. The overwhelming majority of incoming students have already fallen two or more years behind in reading and math, state test scores show. The school takes part in the Middle School Quality Initiative (MSQI), the city program designed to boost reading levels with a longer school day and special activities such as a debate team.
High-achieving students may apply to an honor's track. Tutoring is available to prepare for the specialized high school exam.
Village Academy shares a building with MS 53 and Success Academy Far Rockaway Charter School, an elementary school. The building, constructed to withstand earthquakes, looks imposing from the outside; inside, it has metal detectors. Village Academy is on an upper floor with cheery yellow walls and windows facing a courtyard. NYC school surveys show students feel safe in school.
Special education: There are Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classes on every grade, which mix special and general needs students with two teachers.
Admissions: Village Academy shares the MS 53 zone. Students may choose between the two schools. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, April 2019)
Read more
School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
Contact & Location
Location
Contact
Other Details
Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.
Was this information helpful?
Get more from InsideSchools
You may also like …
M.S. 053 Brian Piccolo
Queens, NY 11691
Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy VI
Queens, NY 11691
Comments