The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School
Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School serves students from sixth through twelfth grade in Forest Hills, a predominantly residential neighborhood in central Queens anchored by tree-lined streets, prewar housing stock, and a vibrant commercial spine on Austin Street. The school sits on the Metropolitan Avenue Educational Campus, part of a shared facility that positions it within the dense, transit-accessible urban fabric rather than on a suburban-style campus.
The school enrolls a student body that is majority Hispanic, with a substantial Asian population and smaller representations of white, Black, American Indian, and Pacific Islander students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families navigate tight economic margins. The school community reflects Queens' diversity and the economic conditions of the neighborhood and broader city.
In state testing across sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, the school shows mixed proficiency results. Sixth-grade performance is the strongest, with roughly similar rates of proficiency in math and English language arts, both hovering just above the midpoint. Seventh-grade math performance dips notably lower, while seventh-grade English holds closer to the sixth-grade level. Eighth-grade English performance steadies around the same band; eighth-grade science comes in just below the midpoint. No eighth-grade math testing data was available, likely reflecting the school's grade structure or curriculum sequencing. Across the grades tested, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Queen's County districts when proficiency results are averaged. This means reading and math fundamentals are an area where the school may want to investigate further with families about instructional approaches and student support.
The school does not appear to have reported a graduation rate, which typically indicates either that the school is newer or that data collection procedures differ from traditional district schools. High school enrollment is represented across grades nine through twelve in similar numbers to the middle grades, suggesting the school serves its full span. But without graduation rate data, families cannot assess how effectively the school moves students to completion.
Forest Hills itself is experiencing active residential growth, with new condominium and mixed-income housing projects reshaping the neighborhood's composition. Property values are above the state benchmark, and rents have climbed, reflecting broader Queens market momentum. The area is highly walkable with strong transit access via subway, rail, and bus, and sits adjacent to two of Queens' largest parks. Major employers include Northwell Health's Long Island Jewish Forest Hills and Plaza College, anchoring healthcare and education as local employment sectors.
District 28, which houses the school, has undergone a mandatory literacy curriculum overhaul through NYC Reads, requiring all elementary schools to adopt one of three city-approved reading programs aligned with the science of reading. This is a lasting shift in how students are taught to read and will extend toward middle schools by fall 2027. Families choosing the district should understand that curriculum autonomy has been constrained in favor of a citywide literacy framework. Additionally, the city's expanded Gifted & Talented program now offers entry points in all grades and districts, and Queens High School for the Sciences is relocating to a new building within District 28, expanding capacity and adding amenities like a cafeteria and science labs that were previously unavailable.
Parents should ask the school directly about its instructional strategies in reading and math, its support systems for students below proficiency, and its track record moving students through ninth through twelfth grade. The school's standing among Queens options depends on what families prioritize: the neighborhood's walkability and transit access, the diversity of the student body, or the strength of academic preparation in fundamental skills.
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