Get more from InsideSchools
P.S. 196 Grand Central Parkway
Share this school
Queens NY 11375
Our Insights
What’s Special
Strong academics and leadership.
The Downside
Emphasis on test prep; packed building.
PS 196 is a destination school. Middle class parents move into the area to secure a seat in this consistently high-performing school. The school has a cohesive community with involved parents and a good relationship between teachers and administrators.
The work is demanding and academics take priority, but every child takes art and music as well. There are SMART boards in many classrooms. The school stresses preparation for state exams but also makes an effort to instill a love of reading and writing. Teachers give principal Susan Migliano, who has been at the helm since 2009, high marks. An impressive 86% said they felt supported "to a great extent" by Migliano on the 2011 Learning Environment Survey. All teachers in each grade meet twice a week to discuss student progress.
Parents in the past have complained about a lack of warmth among school leadership and too much emphasis on test prep, but report that things have improved under Migliano.
Kindergarten classes are at the maximum of 25 children each, while 1st through 3rd grades hover at around 30 children each. The school's popularity has resulted in about 640 children learning in a building meant for about 450.
For the few students who are struggling, there is a Saturday Academy and morning tutoring. English language learners can also access extra help after school. Since most students pass the state exams, the school has made it a goal to increase the number of kids who score above grade level. There are numerous clubs, including chorus and Lego robotics.
After school: Students may take Chinese, Spanish, sculpture, yoga, cooking, play sports and get homework help, for a fee. Students can also access the program for a single day on an as-needed basis.
Special education: There are self contained classes as well as an Integrated Co-Teaching class in kindergarten, which combined special and general education children.
Admissions: Neighborhood school. (Meredith Kolodner, interviews, DOE stats, March 2012)
Read moreSchool Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From the 2020-21 School Quality Guide
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2021 -22 Assessment Database
What is the Pre-K like?
From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020
Who does this school serve?
From the 2021-22 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2020-21 School Quality Guide
From the 2020 School Directories
How does this school serve special populations?
From the New York State 2021 -22 Assessment Database
Contact & Location
Location
Contact
Other Details
Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.
Get more from InsideSchools
You may also like …
P.S. 101 School in the Gardens
Queens, NY 11375
P.S. 144 Col Jeromus Remsen
Queens, NY 11375
Comments