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Jean Nuzzi Intermediate School 109

Grades: 6-8
213-10 92 Avenue
Queens NY 11428
Phone: 718-465-0651

Our Insights

What’s Special

Successful efforts to improve school environment

The Downside

Old, sometimes dated, facility

Jean Nuzzi IS 109 is a large fairly diverse middle school in Queens Village that has gone through some difficult times, but seems to be turning things around under a stable leader. Enrollment is on the rise and the atmosphere has improved.

Located in a quiet, residential neighborhood, the school is housed in an old, five-story red brick building that originally served as an elementary school. It has an auditorium large enough to accommodate one full grade at a time, a gym, cafeteria, small library and three outdoor yards.

School leaders have worked to improve the environment at Jean Nuzzi, ensuring that every student has at least one adult in the building he or she trusts and can turn to for support. The school has adopted the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program to improve climate and student behavior.

During the first three years of the program suspensions fell by two thirds, according to a Department of Education report, prompting one parent to say, "This is a completely different school, a different atmosphere, a major improvement from three years ago." Roughly one-third of students responding to a 2019-20 DOE survey, though, still see bullying as a problem at the school.

For years the school had been plagued by poor performance, high faculty turnover and unruliness; between 2007 and 2011 the leadership changed several times. In a phone interview, [former] Parent Coordinator Arketa Sherron said middle school choice hit IS 109 hard as parents opted to travel to other district schools or charter schools, and some put their children in Catholic schools.

However, Sherron said, the school is more than stabilizing, under the leadership of Principal Karleen Comrie, who took the helm in 2011. Comrie was herself an IS 109 student, lives in the neighborhood and worked her way up from science teacher to assistant principal to principal.

In August 2017 the school enrolled 100 more sixth graders than the previous year--from 300 to 415 students. "We have a great administration, teachers are caring, we all work as a team," Sherron said. "Things are not falling through the cracks," she added. "We reach out to parents to have them come in if there's a problem."

There is still work to do. Many academic and other measures are about average for New York City schools though Nuzzi students lag behind their counterparts in scores on the state standardized math test. 

High-achievers can take accelerated classes in Algebra I, Living Environment and US History. Nuzzi also offers a debate, dance, theater and other activities. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Nuzzi offers self-contained classes as well as team teaching classes with two teachers and a mix of general education and special education students. 

ADMISSIONS: Nuzzi admits students first from its zone and then from elsewhere in District 29. (Gail Robinson, based on web reports, interview and DOE data, August 2017)

 

 

 

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School Stats

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

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
65%
78% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
71%
59% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
86%
84% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
95%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
4% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
88%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
11.8

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
45%
46% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
56%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
91%
89% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
924
Asian
36%
Black
30%
Hispanic
22%
White
2%
Other
10%
Free or reduced priced lunch
74%
Students with disabilities
16%
English language learners
14%

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
92%
91% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
33%
34% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
15%
15% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Queens Village (District 29)
Buses: Q1, Q110, Q27, Q36, Q43, Q88, X68

Contact

Principal
Beatrice Thompson
Parent Coordinator
Devika Samaroo

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.
Metal detectors?
No

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

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