The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Math. The lowest is 46% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Preparatory Academy for Writers: a College Board School
Preparatory Academy for Writers is a public middle and high school serving grades six through twelve in Springfield Gardens, a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood in southeastern Queens defined by its low-rise suburban character, family-oriented culture, and proximity to JFK Airport. The school sits on the Springfield Gardens Educational Campus, a shared facility housing four schools in the repurposed former Springfield Gardens High School building on Springfield Boulevard.
The enrollment is small to mid-sized for its grade band, with a student body that is predominantly Black, followed by a meaningful Hispanic population and smaller numbers of Asian and other students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's name reflects its identity as a writing-focused institution, though complete program documentation was not available to detail the scope of that emphasis or what other curricular pathways define the school.
On state testing in 2024-25, the school's performance shows uneven results by subject and grade. In math, sixth graders' proficiency was in the low-to-mid range, and seventh graders performed somewhat lower. Eighth-grade math results were too small to report publicly. In English Language Arts, sixth graders' proficiency was just above halfway, but seventh graders' proficiency dropped notably, reaching less than half. Eighth graders rebounded to about half proficient. A science assessment was administered to eighth graders but the tested population was too small for public reporting. Participation rates—the share of enrolled students who sat for the state test—were moderate in the lower grades and lower in eighth grade, which a parent may want to look into further with the school.
When proficiency rates across all reported tests and grades are combined, the school sits below the midpoint relative to other schools in Queens County. The data does not provide a graduation rate, which reflects that the high school is in its earlier years or that the school is tracking cohorts in a way that makes a standard four-year rate unavailable at present.
No prior-year test data was supplied, so trend information is not available. The school's enrollment data do not include counts for students with Individualized Education Programs or English learners, so the school's special-population supports cannot be characterized from the data provided.
Springfield Gardens itself is developing gradually. Housing prices have risen modestly, and new single- and two-family construction is ongoing, though the neighborhood is protected by a zoning rule intended to preserve its low-density character. The community is anchored by several parks, including Springfield Park with its pond and walking trails. Public transit relies on buses and dollar vans rather than subway service, though the LIRR and other transit are reachable nearby. The neighborhood economy is shaped by proximity to JFK, with logistics, air-cargo, and transportation jobs driving much local employment, alongside retail, small business, and service work.
For families considering the school, the writing focus and the combination of middle and high school grades on one campus are defining features. The academic performance data suggest an environment where students arrive with varied preparation, and where reading and math foundations appear to need strengthening, particularly in the seventh-grade cohort. The small school size is a characteristic rather than a strength or weakness on its own; it may offer closer teacher relationships and a more intimate setting, or it may reflect enrollment constraints. A parent seeking clarity on the school's curriculum breadth, career pathways, AP and college credit offerings, and approach to supporting students below grade level would benefit from a conversation with school leadership.
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