Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72

Located in Rochdale Village, a large housing co-op in Southeast Queens, MS 72 is on a major thoroughfare surrounded by playgrounds and parks. MS 72 has long struggled with discipline problems and low levels of student achievement and declining student enrollment.

A community school, MS 72 has partnered with The Child Center of NY’s Beacon Program to provide family activities such as Zumba, Knitting and Game Nights to strengthen community ties. Students are offered an extended day program through Beacon as well.    

Significant problems remain. Students complain of bullying and fighting. Teachers continue to say that there are problems with order and discipline, according to school surveys. Students scores on standardized tests are well below the citywide average. A Department of Education evaluation called the Quality Review, says the school focuses on helping low-achieving students, but a lacks opportunities for those ready for more challenging work.

The school was awarded federal funds in 2015 to begin a Haitian Creole dual language program. Students may also take Spanish classes and receive tutoring for the Spanish Proficiency Exam.

Admissions: Neighborhood school. Students from outside the zone may also apply. (Melanie Quiroz, web reports and DOE data, April 2019)