J.H.S. 226 Virgil I. Grissom

J.H.S. 226 Virgil I. Grissom is a large middle school in South Ozone Park, Queens, serving grades 6-8. The school is structured into three learning communities: Discovery and Explorations for 6th graders, Humanities for 7th, and Renaissance for 8th, aiming to provide rigorous, hands-on learning experiences. Academically, the school's ELA proficiency is below the citywide 25th percentile, while math proficiency is slightly above the 25th percentile but below the median. The share of students taking accelerated coursework is near the citywide median. The school offers Advanced Regents Program classes and administers Regents exams in Algebra, Biology, and World Languages. Parent sentiment is largely positive, with high favorable ratings on recent surveys regarding school environment and communication. Relationships with families are rated "Good." However, student surveys indicate concerns about safety and school climate, with a significant portion of students reporting that bullying occurs and not feeling safe in all areas of the school. The school is known for its diverse student body and offers a wide array of elective courses, including visual arts, dance, theatre, band, technology, health, and a Virtual Enterprise Junior Venture program. Extracurriculars range from sports and academic support to a dance partnership with Alvin Ailey and E-Sports, complemented by after-school programs offering activities like karate and cooking. The school is fully accessible and shares its building with other schools.