Best Schools in Jamaica, New York
58 schools · 30 Elementary · 6 Middle · 19 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Jamaica?
Use this page to compare every school in Jamaica by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School
High · New York City Geographic District #28. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
PS 80 Thurgood Marshall Magnet School of Multimedia (the)
Elementary · New York City Geographic District #28. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School
Elementary · Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Jamaica for 2026 are Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School (8.3/10), PS 80 Thurgood Marshall Magnet School of Multimedia (the) (8.1/10), and Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 47 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
58
48 public · 10 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$655,214
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Schools
58
48 public · 10 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$655,214
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Jamaica schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +26.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Jamaica schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Jamaica
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 47 rated schools; 58 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | PS 80 Thurgood Marshall Magnet School of Multimedia (the) | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Jermaine L Green Stem Institute of Queens (the) | 8.0 / 10 |
| 5 | PS 161 Arthur Ashe School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Jamaica Children's School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 7 | PS 117 J Keld/briarwood School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 8 | PS 140 Edward K Ellington | 7.7 / 10 |
| 9 | PS 160 Walter Francis Bishop | 7.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Eagle Academy for Young Men III | 7.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $80,125
- Median home value
- $655,214
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 46 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 50%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Jamaica compares
New York rank
#254 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$80k
86% of New York median
Schools in this city
56
Education Snapshot
Jamaica, New YorkJamaica, New York draws 31,128 students into 59 schools spread across 9 districts — an unusually fragmented footprint for a single city. The level mix leans elementary: 32 elementary schools versus 6 middle and 18 high schools, plus 4 charter schools that add a parallel track. Composite ratings average 6.2/10 across 57 scored schools, matching the New York state average exactly — no lift, no lag relative to the broader state. The income picture tells a different story: a median household income of $77,312 runs 18% below the state median of $93,975, and only 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. That economic gap tends to concentrate resources unevenly across districts, so school-level ratings carry more signal here than city-wide averages. Families searching for above-average options will find them, but comparison shopping across all nine districts is worth the effort.
New York City Geographic District #28 runs 67% of Jamaica's public schools
Jamaica touches 9 districts, but New York City Geographic District #28 is the one most addresses actually attend.
New York City Geographic District #28 accounts for 32 of 48 public schools (67%). The other 8 districts hold the remaining 16.
Among 47 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.3 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Jamaica, not a citywide average.
- New York City Geographic District #2832 public · 67%
- New York City Geographic District #297 public · 15%
- New York City Geographic District #273 public · 6%
- Growing Up Green Charter School Ii1 public · 2%
- New Visions Chtr HS-Adv Ma/sci Iv1 public · 2%
About Schools in Jamaica, New York
Jamaica, Queens has 48 ranked public schools spanning elementary through high school, giving families a wide field to navigate. The district average sits at 6.1 out of 10 — a middle-of-the-road baseline that masks real variation across grade levels and school types. Fifteen schools, or 31% of the ranked set, score 7.0 or higher, so strong options exist but require deliberate search. Parents should not assume neighborhood assignment lands a child at one of them.
At the top of the performance range, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College earns an 8.3 — the highest score among all ranked schools in Jamaica. It is a specialized science-focused high school, which means admission is competitive and selective. PS 95 Eastwood ties that 8.3 mark at the elementary level, signaling that high performance is not confined to secondary grades. PS 117 J Keld/Briarwood School sits just behind at 8.2, giving families with younger children two strong public elementary targets within the same landscape.
The high school picture broadens beyond the sciences magnet. Eagle Academy for Young Men III holds an 8.2 and serves male students specifically. Young Women's Leadership School-Queens scores 7.9 and mirrors that single-gender model for female students. Both schools demonstrate that structured, mission-driven environments are producing results above the local average. Parents of middle schoolers should factor these specialized admissions pipelines into planning several years ahead.
Practically, Jamaica's 48-school roster means more choices but more homework. The 31% of schools scoring 7.0 or above gives parents a meaningful pool to evaluate, but proximity alone is unlikely to surface the best fit. Elementary parents should prioritize PS 95 and PS 117 for academic track records, while families approaching high school decisions should research the admissions requirements for the Sciences school, Eagle Academy, and Young Women's Leadership early. The city's average of 6.1 confirms that school quality varies significantly — the difference between an assigned school and a targeted one can be several rating points.
Elementary Schools
30 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 434 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 |
| 3 | 502 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 4 | 566 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 5 | 242 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 767 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 7 | 316 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 8 | 595 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 9 | 446 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 10 | 599 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
Show all 30 elementary schools in Jamaica
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 285 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 354 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 354 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
| 4 | 1,273 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
| 5 | 322 students · 6th–8th | 3.8 |
| 6 | 331 students · 6th–8th | 3.3 |
High Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 686 students · 6th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 479 students · 6th–12th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 498 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 432 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 584 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 6 | 495 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 2,197 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 8 | 218 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 9 | 162 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 10 | 521 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Show all 19 high schools in Jamaica
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theresa Paplin SchoolPrivate 36 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
| 2 | Al-Iman SchoolPrivate 39 students · Pre-K–9th | Not Rated |
| 3 | 16 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
Schools in Jamaica
Jamaica, New York · 58 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$80,125
Median Home Value
$655,214
Median Rent
$1,758/mo
Population
324,949
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
46 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Community Profile
Jamaica has a median household income of $80,125. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $655,214, with a median rent of $1,758/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute in the area is 46 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 30
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 19
- Other
- 3
Resources
School Districts (9)
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #26
34 schools · 29,442 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28
50 schools · 38,052 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #29
46 schools · 23,648 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #27
63 schools · 41,663 students
NYC SPECIAL SCHOOLS - DISTRICT 75
59 schools
ROCHDALE EARLY ADVANTAGE CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 434 students
NEW VISIONS CHTR HS-ADV MA/SCI IV
1 school · 426 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-SOUTH JAMAICA
1 school · 493 students
GROWING UP GREEN CHARTER SCHOOL II
1 school · 775 students
Other Major Cities in New York
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Jamaica, New York
How many schools are in Jamaica, New York?
Jamaica has 58 schools, including 48 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Jamaica, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Jamaica is 6.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Jamaica, New York?
The top-ranked school in Jamaica on MySchoolScout is Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Jamaica, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Jamaica on MySchoolScout is PS 80 Thurgood Marshall Magnet School of Multimedia (the) with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Jamaica, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Jamaica on MySchoolScout is Redwood Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Jamaica, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Jamaica on MySchoolScout is Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Jamaica, New York?
Jamaica is served by 9 school districts: New York City Geographic District #26, New York City Geographic District #28, New York City Geographic District #29, New York City Geographic District #27, Nyc Special Schools - District 75, Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School, New Visions Chtr HS-Adv Ma/sci IV, Success Academy Charter School-South Jamaica, Growing Up Green Charter School II.
What is the education level in Jamaica, New York?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in Jamaica have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Jamaica, New York?
The median household income in Jamaica is approximately $80,125 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Jamaica, New York?
Yes, Jamaica has 10 private schools alongside 48 public schools. The top-rated private school is Summit School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Jamaica, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Jamaica is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Jamaica, New York?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.