Corona Arts & Sciences Academy

Corona Arts & Sciences Academy (CASA) is a Queens middle school serving grades 6-8, known for its diverse student body with a high percentage of Hispanic students, English Language Learners, and those from low-income households. The school emphasizes a "whole child" approach, integrating arts, sciences, and project-based learning, including "CASA Community Wednesdays" focused on social justice, STEM, financial literacy, and sustainability. It offers a Spanish-English dual-language program and an accelerated program for 7th and 8th graders, with a strong focus on preparing students for specialized high schools. While the school provides a wide array of arts and enrichment activities, including an award-winning band and championship futsal team, and is described by some as having a friendly and supportive atmosphere, academic proficiency in ELA and Math is significantly below citywide and state averages. Parent sentiment is mixed; while official surveys show high satisfaction with family relationships, some parents express serious concerns about administrative leadership, communication, and a perceived negative environment for teachers and students, citing high teacher turnover. Student survey data indicates that while most students feel safe, a notable percentage report experiencing bullying or physical altercations. As a PROSE school, CASA has flexibility in its instructional design.