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Our Insights

What’s Special

Well-run school that gives older students & new immigrants a fresh start

The Downside

No gymnasium

Queens Satellite High School for Opportunity in Jamaica, Queens, is a small school for students new to the United States or behind on credits. Students are between 16 and 21 years old. With three terms each year, students can earn credits faster and catch up more quickly, learning at their own pace.

Academics and Instruction: Queens Satellite may be a students’ third or fourth high school, and students are on average 18 years old. They take regular courses in subjects like math, science and social studies, and may choose electives. 

Lessons are project-based and often combine subjects. For example, students may research a historical event in their history class, and write a report about it in English class. They usually work in groups to solve problems.

Students only take the English Language Arts (ELA) Regents exam. For the other subjects, they use performance-based assessment tasks (PBAT’s), like science experiments or history projects. These tasks help students show what they've learned and can improve graduation rates, as shown by a 2020 study.

Culture and Environment: Students apply to Queens Satellite using a form on the school’s website. The school works with the NYC Department of Education and groups helping immigrants to support new students arriving in New York City

The school connects newcomers with legal and housing resources, and has a food pantry. A dentist sets up a temporary clinic in the auditorium, and students are referred to local clinics for other health needs.

In the fall, there is a fun event with games held at a nearby park to welcome families. Monthly school wide meetings are held, and some students participate in an all-school trip to Washington, DC, Boston or elsewhere. 

Students can join volleyball, softball and basketball PSAL sports, and a club soccer team. Clubs include a girl’s group, an explorer’s club where students travel around New York City in a group, and an arts club. 

Attendance is a challenge, especially for students who may live in shelters and have other duties. The school checks in with students who miss three days of class to offer support. 

English as a New Language & Special Education: English language learners make up half or more of the student population. Newcomer students may join a summer program, to visit New York’s sights, like the Statue of Liberty and Intrepid Museum, and practice English.

The school has one special education teacher who works with students with disabilities separately, plus ICT (integrated co-teaching) teachers who co-teach in general ed classrooms. Counseling is available. 

Building & Facilities: Queens Satellite is located in a small, landmarked building, and is not wheelchair accessible. It has eight classrooms and a large auditorium. Students visit a nearby YMCA for gym. The building is shared with Pathways to Graduation and adult education services. 

College & Career: Students work with guidance counselors through a “learn to work” partnership with the nonprofit Queens Community House, to plan their future after graduation. There are two to three college visits per year. (Dashiell Allen, interview and web reports, August 2024)

 

 

 

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School Stats

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

Academics

School
Citywide
Transfer school graduation rate
 
38%
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide and 2022-23 NYC School Survey

Students

167
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
80%
Students with disabilities
 
10%
Multilingual learners
 
40%
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?
 
97%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
20%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
29%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
100%
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
100%
6.2
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
58
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 191
How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
100%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey, 2022-23 School Quality Guide, 2021-22 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2023 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

Not offered in 2021-21

Computer Science

Not offered in 2021-21

Physics

Not offered in 2021-21

Advanced Foreign Language

Not offered in 2021-21

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

Not offered in 2021-21

AP/IB Math or Science

Not offered in 2021-21

Music

 
29%
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?
 
8%
From the 2020-21 and 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Visit Understanding FAFSA for help with the FAFSA and financial aid.
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

162-02 Hillside Avenue
Queens NY 11432

Trains: E Line, J Line, Z Line to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer; F Line to Parsons Blvd

Buses: Q4, Q5, Q20A, Q20B, Q24, Q30, Q31, Q42, Q44 SBS, Q83, Q84, Q85, Q6, Q8, Q9, Q25, Q34, Q41, Q65, Q110, Q111, Q112, Q113, Q114


Contact

Principal: Thomas Mckenna

Parent Coordinator: Brian Reilly

Phone: 718-657-3920

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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