Merrick Academy - Queens Public Charter School

Merrick Academy - Queens Public Charter School, serving students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, is one of New York City's earliest charter schools, established in 2000 in Springfield Gardens. Academically, the school demonstrates strong performance, with English Language Arts proficiency well above the citywide median and math proficiency at the median. It is particularly noted for its success in supporting African American students, students with disabilities, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ranking in the top 25% of New York elementary schools for these groups. The curriculum emphasizes a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) approach, integrating hands-on coding, robotics, and an intense world language program from early grades. The school also focuses on character education, global citizenship, and offers specialized instruction in music and physical education, alongside an extended school day. Parent sentiment is largely positive, with official surveys showing exceptionally high satisfaction regarding the school environment and communication. Parents often highlight the dedicated teachers, academic progress, and a safe atmosphere with various after-school activities. However, some external reviews express concerns about staff organization, communication, and teacher turnover. The school's suspension rate is 5.0%.