84Q385

Elm Community Charter School

School code (DBN) 84Q385

Grades K-5 · 79-17 51 Avenue · Queens

Priscilla Walton, Principal · 646-886-0234

Charter

About

Elm Community Charter School serves students in grades K-5. The school's student population includes a higher percentage of English Language Learners (34.0%) compared to the citywide median of 15.5%. The Economic Need Index (82.0%) and the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (83.0%) are near the citywide medians. In academic outcomes, 68.0% of students demonstrated proficiency in ELA, which is well above the citywide median of 56.0%. For math, 73.0% of students achieved proficiency, also well above the citywide median of 55.0% and at the 75th percentile. The school reported a 0.0% suspension rate. In the 2025-26 DOE School Survey, 100% of responding parents reported their child is safe at the school. Parents also reported high satisfaction, with 95% satisfied with their child's education. A high percentage of parents, 97%, felt respected by teachers and the principal, and 96% said staff work hard to build trusting relationships.

Sources (4)

Academics

State test proficiency rates and acceleration.

ELA proficiency

68%

Math proficiency

73%

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

Attendance rate

73%

Avg class size (general ed)

—

Avg class size (ICT)

—

Community & climate

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

Quality signals

FacultyExcellentAI-estimated

NYC School Survey, 2025-26

Parent survey · overall positive

95%47% response rate

Teacher survey · overall positive

84%87% response rate

Survey topics, 2025-26

Safety97%city 93%
  • Teachers · My students are safe…outside around this school. [Elementary only].93%
  • Teachers · My students are safe…traveling between home and this school. [Elementary only].95%
  • Teachers · My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school. [Elementary only].100%
  • Teachers · My students are safe…in my class(es). [Elementary only].98%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 93% citywide.

Bullying prevention52%city 65%
  • Teachers · At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.52%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (52%) is their average, vs 65% citywide.

Emotional support88%city 84%
  • Teachers · How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?88%
  • Teachers · How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?96%
  • Teachers · How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?93%
  • Teachers · How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?80%
  • Teachers · How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?82%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.

Academic expectations82%city 89%
  • Teachers · In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including Multilingual Learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.92%
  • Teachers · This school has well-defined learning expectations for all students.85%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?70%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.

College & career guidance97%city 90%
  • Teachers · It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with opportunities to learn about different career paths. [Elementary/Middle Only].97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Family outreach95%city 95%
  • Teachers · At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.98%
  • Teachers · At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.98%
  • Teachers · At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.96%
  • Teachers · At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.98%
  • Parents · School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.90%
  • Parents · Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.93%
  • Parents · My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.97%
  • Parents · I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.97%
  • Parents · My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.97%
  • Parents · If I suspect my child needs additional learning supports and services, I know the next steps to get support at my school.88%

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

Parent–teacher trust97%city 96%
  • Parents · I feel respected by my child's teachers.97%
  • Parents · Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.96%
  • Parents · My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.

Show all survey topics

Instruction and Performance

Family Satisfaction with Child's Education95%city 94%
  • Parents · My child is progressing in reading the way I would expect.92%
  • Parents · My child is progressing in math the way I would expect.97%
  • Parents · My child's school helps me understand what grade-level schoolwork looks like.93%
  • Parents · How satisfied are you with the following? The education my child has received this year.95%
  • Parents · How satisfied are you with the following? The overall quality of my child's teachers this year.97%

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

Early Childhood Instruction89%city 94%
  • Teachers · 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].89%
  • Teachers · In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to…develop and facilitate intentional learning experiences grounded in the developmentally appropriate practices and play-based learning experiences emphasized in New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards (NYSPLS) and/or Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). [Early childhood].88%
  • Teachers · 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].89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

IEP Service Satisfaction89%city 91%
  • Parents · I am satisfied with the educational planning and Individualized Education Program (IEP) development process at this school. [Families of students with IEPs].91%
  • Parents · At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].91%
  • Parents · This school offers a wide enough variety of activities and services (including specialized programs, related services and assistive and adaptive technologies where appropriate) to help improve outcomes for my child. [Families of students with IEPs].84%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.

Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction89%city 92%
  • Teachers · I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.86%
  • Teachers · I am able to...appropriately modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.91%
  • Teachers · I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.95%
  • Teachers · I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.98%
  • Teachers · I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.85%
  • Teachers · I am able to...design instruction that is responsive to students’ needs (e.g. Multilingual Learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).83%
  • Teachers · I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.95%
  • Teachers · I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.82%
  • Teachers · I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.91%
  • Teachers · I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.93%
  • Teachers · I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.75%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

Strong Core Instruction86%city 92%
  • Teachers · 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].80%
  • Teachers · 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, using scaffolding where appropriate. [Science].60%
  • Teachers · 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].60%
  • Teachers · 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].80%
  • Teachers · 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].80%
  • Teachers · 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].95%
  • Teachers · 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, using scaffolding where appropriate. [ELA].95%
  • Teachers · 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].95%
  • Teachers · 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].90%
  • Teachers · 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].90%
  • Teachers · 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, using scaffolding where appropriate. [Math].100%
  • Teachers · 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].86%
  • Teachers · 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].93%
  • Teachers · 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%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.

Quality of Student Discussion73%city 68%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?65%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?63%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?85%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?71%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?83%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (73%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.

Classroom Behavior72%city 68%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?75%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?79%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?58%
  • Teachers · How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?75%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (72%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.

Safety and School Climate

Inclusive Leadership96%city 96%
  • Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.96%
  • Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.97%
  • Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.96%
  • Parents · Language translation and interpretation are readily available to me at all family events at my child’s school.95%

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

Inclusive Learning Environment94%city 96%
  • Teachers · At this school, students with disabilities are included in all school activities.92%
  • Teachers · This school educates students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment appropriate.88%
  • Teachers · School staff treat students of different genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations equally.98%
  • Teachers · School staff treat students of different races, cultures, or backgrounds equally.98%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.

Teacher-Teacher Trust90%city 88%
  • Teachers · Teachers in this school trust each other.90%
  • Teachers · It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.83%
  • Teachers · I feel respected by other teachers at this school.98%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.

School Commitment89%city 85%
  • Teachers · I usually look forward to each working day at this school.92%
  • Teachers · I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.92%
  • Teachers · I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.83%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

Conflict Resolution89%city 90%
  • Teachers · Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.81%
  • Parents · Conflicts are resolved fairly at my child’s school. [Grades K-5].96%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Instructional Leadership85%city 89%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.83%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...understands how children learn.85%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.92%
  • Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.81%
  • Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.88%
  • Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.81%
  • Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.85%
  • Teachers · The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.85%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (85%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.

Peer Collaboration84%city 88%
  • Teachers · At this school…the principal/program leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.81%
  • Teachers · At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.94%
  • Teachers · At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.78%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.

Innovation and Collective Responsibility84%city 81%
  • Teachers · How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?88%
  • Teachers · How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?90%
  • Teachers · How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?79%
  • Teachers · How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?72%
  • Teachers · How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?92%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 81% citywide.

Teacher-Principal Trust82%city 86%
  • Teachers · I feel respected by the principal/program leader at this school.94%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.79%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.85%
  • Teachers · I trust the principal/program leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).79%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.81%
  • Teachers · The principal/program leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.87%
  • Teachers · The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.72%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Quality of Professional Development80%city 85%
  • Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.77%
  • Teachers · 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.83%
  • Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.79%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

Program Coherence77%city 85%
  • Teachers · At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.78%
  • Teachers · At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.75%
  • Teachers · At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.77%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (77%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.

Teacher Influence53%city 68%
  • Teachers · At this school…the principal/program leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.83%
  • Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?46%
  • Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?27%
  • Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?44%
  • Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?63%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (53%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.

Relationships with Families

Parent-Principal Trust97%city 96%
  • Parents · I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.97%
  • Parents · I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).97%
  • Parents · 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 96% citywide.

Parent Involvement in School91%city 91%
  • Parents · Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?94%
  • Parents · Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?97%
  • Parents · I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.79%
  • Parents · During the school year, have you...attended a school meeting, school event, or parent-teacher conference (virtually or in-person)?94%

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

School Description

School Facilities and Services96%city 88%
  • Teachers · This school is kept clean.98%
  • Teachers · This school is kept in good physical condition.98%
  • Teachers · Physical repairs to the school building are completed in a timely manner.98%
  • Parents · This school is kept clean.99%
  • Parents · This school is kept in good physical condition.99%
  • Parents · My child's school provides me information about transportation options (e.g. Metrocard and busing).97%
  • Parents · I am satisfied with my child’s school bus transportation service this year.89%
  • Parents · I am satisfied with the meal options provided at my child’s school.91%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.

Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2025-2026). 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

73%

Chronic absenteeism

27%

Suspension rate

0%

Teachers[7]

Teachers with 4+ years' experience

100%

Teaching out of certification

45%

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 15%
  • Black 5%
  • Hispanic 69%
  • White 8%
  • Multiracial 2%

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

Gender[4]

  • Female 51%
  • Male 49%

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

Enrollment

467

Economic Need Index

82%

Free / reduced lunch

83%

English learners

34%

Students with IEPs

17%

Financials

[8]

What this school has to spend, and what it spends it on. Spending is not a measure of quality. Schools serving more students with higher needs receive more money.

Charter schools manage their own budgets rather than receiving a school allocation from the DOE, so the staffing and supplies breakdown the DOE publishes for district schools is not published for this school.

Spending

Total spend

$13.9MStudents: 460

50th percentile citywide

Total spend per student

$30,310

33rd percentile citywide · city median $33,357

Data sources

Sources cited on this page.

  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.
  4. 8.NYSED Expenditures per Pupil: All-in spending per school and per student.