P.S. 182 Samantha Smith

P.S. 182 Samantha Smith is an elementary school in Queens serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade. The school is named after Samantha Smith, an American peace activist known for her correspondence with Soviet leader Yuri Andropov during the Cold War. It is a larger-than-average elementary school with a diverse student body, including a significant population of English Language Learners and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While state test scores for English Language Arts and Math proficiency are at or below the citywide 25th percentile, indicating an area for potential growth, the school maintains an exceptionally low suspension rate of 0%. Parents express very high satisfaction with the school, with survey results showing overwhelmingly positive feedback on various aspects of their child's education and the school environment. The school is described by some as having caring teachers and a positive atmosphere. It is a zoned neighborhood school, offering a traditional pedagogical approach.