Best High Schools in Jamaica, NY

The city of Jamaica, New York is home to 18 high schools serving grades 6-12, including a mix of public, public charter, and specialized schools. The data reveals stark differences in academic performance and student outcomes across these schools, with some standouts like Queens High School For The Sciences At York College achieving exceptional results, while others like Queens Satellite High School For Opportunity struggle with low graduation rates and high chronic absenteeism.

The top-performing schools, such as Queens High School For The Sciences At York College and Queens Gateway To Health Sciences Secondary School, boast impressive Regents exam proficiency rates, with 100% of students meeting standards in many subjects. In contrast, lower-performing schools like Queens Satellite High School For Opportunity and New Dawn Charter High School II struggle with chronic absenteeism rates as high as 99.6%, contributing to their poor academic outcomes.

The data also reveals significant disparities in student demographics and economic status across the schools, with some serving predominantly Asian or African American populations, and others having a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. These underlying equity issues likely play a significant role in the observed performance differences, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to ensure all students in the New York City Geographic District #28 have access to a high-quality education.