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Very Good

#769 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 16% in state

High School of Applied Communications

High School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24

30-20 THOMSON AVE, Long Island City, NY 11101

Enrollment

412

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Long Island City

#12 of 38

public schools

New York high schools

#178 of 1,160

In district

#8 of 56

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #24

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About High School of Applied Communications

High School of Applied Communications serves 412 students in grades 9-12 in Long Island City's vibrant Queens neighborhood. This regular public high school maintains a favorable 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 34 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #1130 out of 4758 New York high schools, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide.

Students excel particularly well in core subjects, with 95% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and an impressive 92% reaching proficiency or above in Math. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. Located at 30-20 Thomson Avenue, the school sits within ZIP code 11101, a diverse urban community where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's median household income of $109,625 and median home value of $1,011,200 reflect Long Island City's growing appeal as a residential area. With a population of over 34,000, this dynamic Queens community offers students exposure to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with big-city living.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+43.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation36.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1

High School of Applied Communications — Students at High School of Applied Communications score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 92.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 94.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
92%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How High School of Applied Communications Compares

See how High School of Applied Communications performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
84th percentile in NY
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

30-20 THOMSON AVE, Long Island City, NY 11101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering High School of Applied Communications may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ENERGY TECH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AT LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (rated 8.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE QUEENS (rated 7.9/10), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Long Island City, see our Long Island City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ACADEMY OF FINANCE AND ENTERPRISE Long Island City 0.0 mi 7.5
BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE QUEENS Long Island City 0.0 mi 7.9
ROBERT F WAGNER JR SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY Long Island City 0.2 mi 7.6
MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AT LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Long Island City 0.2 mi 8.2
INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Long Island City 0.2 mi 5.1
NEWCOMERS HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City 0.5 mi 4.8
GOTHAM TECH HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City 0.5 mi
ACADEMY OF AMERICAN STUDIES Long Island City 0.5 mi 7.0
AVIATION CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City 0.4 mi 7.4
GROWING UP GREEN CHARTER SCHOOL Long Island City 0.6 mi 5.1
QUEEN'S PAIDEIA SCHOOL Long Island City 0.5 mi 6.9
QUEENS TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City 0.5 mi 6.6
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City 0.6 mi 6.5
PS 199 MAURICE A FITZGERALD Long Island City 0.7 mi 7.1
IS 204 OLIVER W HOLMES Long Island City 0.9 mi 6.7
ENERGY TECH HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City 0.9 mi 8.8
PS 112 DUTCH KILLS Long Island City 0.9 mi 5.6
PS 150 Long Island City 0.7 mi 7.1
PS 111 JACOB BLACKWELL Long Island City 1.0 mi 7.6
BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION Long Island City 0.9 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,807

Median Home Value

$995,500

Median Rent

$2,740/mo

Population

39,007

College Educated

65.4%

Homeownership

16%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding High School of Applied Communications has a median household income of $116,807. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $995,500, with a median rent of $2,740/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BRONX HEALTH SCIENCES HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.8
BRONX HIGH SCHOOL FOR MEDICAL SCIENCE Bronx, NY 7.8
BROOKLYN COMMUNITY ARTS AND MEDIA HIGH SCHOOL (BCAM) Brooklyn, NY 7.8
CHARLES O DICKERSON HIGH SCHOOL Trumansburg, NY 7.8
CINEMA SCHOOL (THE) Bronx, NY 7.8
CROTON-HARMON HIGH SCHOOL Croton-on-Hudson, NY 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about High School of Applied Communications

What grades does High School of Applied Communications serve?

High School of Applied Communications serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend High School of Applied Communications?

High School of Applied Communications has an enrollment of approximately 412 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at High School of Applied Communications?

The student-teacher ratio at High School of Applied Communications is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does High School of Applied Communications rank in NY?

High School of Applied Communications is ranked #769 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is High School of Applied Communications's MySchoolScout rating?

High School of Applied Communications has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at High School of Applied Communications?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, High School of Applied Communications has 92.3% math proficiency and 94.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is High School of Applied Communications a charter school?

No, High School of Applied Communications is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is High School of Applied Communications a Title I school?

No, High School of Applied Communications is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High School of Applied Communications?

87.1% of students at High School of Applied Communications qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
84 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Queens County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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