P.S. 81Q Jean Paul Richter
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P.S. 81Q Jean Paul Richter

Grades K-5 · 559 CYPRESS AVENUE · Queens

Romy Diamond, Principal · 718-821-9800

schools.nyc.gov

About

P.S. 81Q Jean Paul Richter, located in Queens, serves students from 3K through 5th grade, fostering a strong sense of community. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with math proficiency (68%) well above the citywide median and near the 75th percentile, and ELA proficiency (48%) above the 25th percentile. It consistently outperforms its district and state in both subjects and has shown consistent improvement in statewide rankings. Parents frequently describe the school as welcoming, supportive, and having dedicated teachers and staff. Survey results show exceptionally high parent satisfaction with their child's education and positive relationships with families. The school offers a Kindergarten STEM Discovery Program, providing an early introduction to science, technology, engineering, and math. Additionally, a free after-school program provides a variety of educational, artistic, and recreational activities. A unique feature is Cypress, the school's comfort dog, contributing to a nurturing environment. The school is recognized for its commitment to educating the whole child, nurturing creativity and talents.

Sources (12)

Academics

State test proficiency rates and acceleration.

ELA proficiency

48%

Math proficiency

68%

3-K - School DayBalancedlow confidence
Kindergarten (24Q081)Balancedlow confidence
Pre-K - School DayBalancedlow confidence
Kindergarten STEM Discovery Program - Open to all District 24 Residents (24Q081)Balancedlow confidence

Proficiency rates are from the Grade 3–8 NYS state test (school-level).

Attendance rate

97%

Avg class size (general ed)

23.12

Avg class size (ICT)

25.5

Average class size by classroom setting: general education vs. ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching, where general- and special-education students learn together with two teachers). NYC DOE Class Size Report, 2021–22.

Community & climate

Demographics, attendance, school survey results, and DOE quality ratings.

Quality signals

FacultyExcellentAI-estimated

Parent survey · overall positive

89%100% response rate

Teacher survey · overall positive

95%98% response rate

Survey topics

Safety99%city 90%
  • My students are safe…outside around this school.98%
  • My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.98%
  • My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.100%
  • My students are safe…in my class(es).100%
  • Behavioral supports are applied equitably to children in my program.100%
  • Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.98%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Bullying prevention10%city 42%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.10%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (10%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.

Emotional support96%city 84%
  • How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.98%
  • How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.98%
  • How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.95%
  • How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.93%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.

Academic expectations92%city 87%
  • In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including English language learners (ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.98%
  • How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.86%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (92%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.

College & career guidance100%city 90%
  • It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with guidance on the high school application process.100%
  • It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide families with guidance on the high school application process.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Family outreach97%city 94%
  • At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.98%
  • At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.98%
  • At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.100%
  • At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.100%
  • School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.93%
  • Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.92%
  • My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.97%
  • I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.96%
  • My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.96%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Parent–teacher trust96%city 95%
  • I feel respected by my child's teachers.97%
  • Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.96%
  • My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.96%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Show all survey topics

Rigorous Instruction

Early Childhood Instruction100%city 92%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to…meet the needs of the children in my classroom. [Early childhood].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to…develop learning experiences grounded in the concepts of development and learning emphasized in the Prekindergarten Foundations for the Common Core (PKFCC), New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards (NYSPLS) and/or Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). [Early childhood].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to…help children engage with books and materials, or in other learning activities reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Early childhood].100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

Strong Core Instruction96%city 91%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [Social Studies].92%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [Social Studies].92%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Social Studies].92%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Social Studies].92%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [Social Studies].92%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [Science].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [Science].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Science].93%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Science].93%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…creating coherent progressions within the standards from previous grades to current grade to build onto previous learning. [Science].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [ELA].93%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [ELA].93%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [ELA].93%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [ELA].97%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [ELA].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [Math].96%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Math].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Math].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [Math].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [English as a New Language (ENL)].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [English as a New Language (ENL)].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [English as a New Language (ENL)].100%
  • In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [English as a New Language (ENL)].100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.

Quality of Student Discussion78%city 67%
  • How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.76%
  • How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.61%
  • How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.93%
  • How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.75%
  • How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.86%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (78%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.

Collaborative Teachers

Peer Collaboration99%city 87%
  • At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.100%
  • At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.98%
  • At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.

School Commitment98%city 83%
  • I usually look forward to each working day at this school.97%
  • I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.98%
  • I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.

Quality of Professional Development98%city 82%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.98%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...Included opportunities to engage in inquiry-based, professional collaboration with peers and/or mentors from other schools.95%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.

Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction97%city 92%
  • I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.97%
  • I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.98%
  • I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.98%
  • I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.98%
  • I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.98%
  • I am able to...design appropriate instruction that is matched to students' need (e.g. English language learners (ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).98%
  • I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.98%
  • I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.98%
  • I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.96%
  • I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.97%
  • I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.86%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

Innovation and Collective Responsibility94%city 79%
  • How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.91%
  • How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.95%
  • How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.95%
  • How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.92%
  • How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.95%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.

Supportive Environment

Classroom Behavior80%city 66%
  • How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.83%
  • How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.93%
  • How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.64%
  • How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.80%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Effective School Leadership

Instructional Leadership99%city 86%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.100%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.100%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.98%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.100%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.100%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.100%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.100%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.100%
  • How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?.93%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Program Coherence99%city 83%
  • At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.100%
  • At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.97%
  • At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.

Inclusive Leadership97%city 95%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.97%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.97%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Teacher Influence82%city 66%
  • At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.98%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.68%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.76%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.79%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Strong Family-Community Ties

Two-Way Communication100%city 99%
  • At this program, teachers incorporate feedback from families into supporting children in the program.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 99% citywide.

Building Families' Capacity as their Child's Primary Teacher98%city 97%
  • My child’s teachers give me helpful ideas about how I can support my child’s learning and development. [Birth-5].93%
  • My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].100%
  • At this program, teachers let families know that they can make a difference in their child's learning and development.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 97% citywide.

Strong Relationships94%city 95%
  • At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].88%
  • At the beginning of the school year, teachers support children in adjusting to this program.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Parent Involvement in School77%city 71%
  • Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.91%
  • Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.95%
  • My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].100%
  • I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.21%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (77%) is their average, vs 71% citywide.

Trust

Teacher-Principal Trust99%city 84%
  • I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.98%
  • The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.100%
  • The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.98%
  • I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).98%
  • The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.100%
  • The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.100%
  • The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.

Teacher-Teacher Trust98%city 86%
  • Teachers in this school trust each other.98%
  • It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.98%
  • I feel respected by other teachers at this school.98%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Parent-Principal Trust97%city 94%
  • I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.98%
  • I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).96%
  • The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2023-2024). Survey topics are the DOE’s framework measures (each the average favorable response across its questions; expand a topic to see them and the citywide average); the dimension scores themselves are no longer in the public data file.[3]

Operational health

Attendance

97%

Chronic absenteeism

32%

Suspension rate

0%

Teachers[7]

Teachers with 4+ years' experience

82%

Students per teacher

12:1

Teaching out of certification

0%

Teacher experience and certification from the NYSED School Report Card (2024–25); students per teacher = enrollment ÷ reported teachers. Fewer than 4 years counts as inexperienced.

Student body

Race / ethnicity[4]

  • Asian 3%
  • Black 1%
  • Hispanic 91%
  • White 4%
  • Multiracial 1%

School-level totals; may not sum to 100% due to rounding and small subgroup suppression.

Gender[4]

  • Female 49%
  • Male 51%

Female / male shares as published by the DOE; other gender identities aren’t reported in the source data.

Enrollment

588

Economic Need Index

88%

Free / reduced lunch

93%

English learners

27%

Students with IEPs

24%

Admissions

2 programs. Each has its own admissions method, and each track within a program has its own seats, demand, and priority order.

Kindergarten (24Q081)

Program code 24Q081KG · Cycle 2024-2025

Zoned

68 applicants · 60 seats last year; offers ran out before reaching Students who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch..

priority groupSeatsApplicantsApps / seat
General education6068
Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school.
Other students who live in the zone.
25251.00
Students who live in the district, have a sibling at the school, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live in the district and have a sibling at the school.
Students who live outside the district, have a sibling at the school, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school.
Students who live in the district, are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live in the district who are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K.
Students who live outside the district, are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live outside the district and are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K.
Students who live in the district and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
15151.00
Other students who live in the district.
Students who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
015
Other students who live outside the district.

Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).

Kindergarten STEM Discovery Program - Open to all District 24 Residents (24Q081)

Program code 24Q081ST · Cycle 2024-2025

Zoned

30 applicants · 20 seats last year; offers ran out before reaching Students who live in the district and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch..

priority groupSeatsApplicantsApps / seat
General education2030
Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school.
Other students who live in the zone.
10101.00
Students who live in the district, have a sibling at the school, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live in the district and have a sibling at the school.
Students who live outside the district, have a sibling at the school, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school.
Students who live in the district, are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live in the district who are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K.
Students who live outside the district, are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K, and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Students who live outside the district and are currently enrolled at the school for pre-K.
Students who live in the district and who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
010
Other students who live in the district.
Students who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price lunch.
Other students who live outside the district.

Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).

How to read Apps / seat and where the outlook buckets come from is explained in our methodology.

Location & commute

Where the school is and how to get there.

Loading map…

Data sources

  1. 3.NYC DOE School Survey: Parent, teacher, and student survey results.
  2. 4.NYC DOE Demographic Snapshot: Enrollment and demographic breakdowns.
  3. 7.NYSED School Report Card: Teacher experience, certification, and pupil-teacher ratio.