New York City Geographic District #30 School District

New York City Geographic District 30 serves 37,414 students across 52 schools in Queens, making it one of New York City's larger community school districts. Fifty of those schools carry an official ranking, averaging a 6.8 out of 10 — a baseline that reflects a broad mix of neighborhood elementaries and specialized secondary programs. That average, however, understates the ceiling: several schools in the district score well above the citywide norm and draw students from across the borough.

At the top of the district sits PS 280 Home of the Lionhearts, an elementary school scoring 9.3 out of 10 — the highest-rated school in District 30 and a significant outlier above the district's 6.8 average. For families with younger children, it represents the district's clearest academic standout. At the secondary level, Energy Tech High School scores 8.8 out of 10, offering a career-focused pathway for students interested in technology and engineering fields. Both schools anchor the district's upper tier and push its overall profile higher than the raw average suggests.

The district's middle and high school options also include notable specialized programs. Albert Shanker School for Visual and Performing Arts earns an 8.5 out of 10 at the middle school level, giving students an early entry point into arts-integrated academics. On the high school side, Young Women's Leadership School — Astoria and the Academy for Careers in Television and Film each score 8.3 out of 10, rounding out a secondary landscape where career-themed and mission-driven schools consistently outperform the district average.

Parents comparing schools across District 30 should weigh the gap between the 6.8 district average and the cluster of schools scoring 8.3 and above. With 52 schools total, options vary considerably by program focus, grade level, and performance. The concentration of high-scoring career and arts programs at the secondary level makes District 30 particularly worth a close look for families who want specialized pathways without leaving the public school system. Starting with the top-rated schools and working down by program fit gives parents the clearest picture of where their child could land.