Our World Neighborhood Charter School 2
Grades K-5 · 135-25 79 Street · Queens
Brian Ferguson/Tiffany Mcafee, Principal
About
Our World Neighborhood Charter School 2 (OWN2) in Howard Beach serves students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, with an enrollment of 433 students. The school is known for its commitment to a liberal arts education, offering a curriculum that includes music, art, gym, and Spanish classes from Kindergarten. It is also a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), emphasizing inquiry-based learning and global citizenship. The school occupies a new, bright, and colorful building, and does not share its space with other schools. Academically, OWN2 demonstrates strengths in state test performance, with English Language Arts proficiency at 60% and Math proficiency at 67%, both of which are above the citywide median for elementary schools. The student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, and the school serves a diverse community. Parent sentiment generally highlights a warm and supportive environment, with teachers described as invested, patient, and highly motivated. The school is also noted for its after-school programs and its technology integration, providing students with access to laptops and educational software. The school fosters a culture of active inquiry and self-expression.
Sources (12)
Academics
State test proficiency rates and acceleration.
ELA proficiency
60%
Math proficiency
67%
Proficiency rates are from the Grade 3–8 NYS state test (school-level).
Attendance rate
Community & climate
Demographics, attendance, school survey results, and DOE quality ratings.
Quality signals
Operational health
Attendance
94%
Chronic absenteeism
45%
Location & commute
Where the school is and how to get there.