The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Michael J Petrides School (the)
Michael J. Petrides School serves prekindergarten through grade twelve on Staten Island's North Shore, near the water at Ocean Terrace. It is a regular public school with a long K-12 continuum, making it one option for families seeking a school that keeps their child in one building from early childhood through high school.
The enrollment is substantial, spanning small early grades through a broad high school population. About three-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a student body with varied economic backgrounds. The student composition is diverse by race and ethnicity, with roughly a third Hispanic, a fifth Black, a quarter white, and a smaller share Asian, along with other groups represented.
In math, the school shows a dip in proficiency as grades advance. Early elementary (grades three and four) show solid proficiency, though grade four dips noticeably lower. Grades five and six hold in the low-to-mid range, while grade seven rebounds. Grade eight data was not reported, likely because the school's eighth grade is part of a transition to high school assessment structures that differ from the elementary and middle grades tests. English language arts follows a similar arc—strong in grade three, dropping through the middle grades (with grade six the weakest point), and recovering somewhat by grades seven and eight. Science data, available only for grade five and eight, shows low proficiency in grade five, with grade eight data missing. The pattern suggests that the school faces particular challenges in math and science in the middle grades, especially grades five and six, where proficiency falls below what appears typical for the city.
High school assessment results and graduation rate data were not available, so a reader cannot assess how the school's students perform in upper grades or how many complete their diplomas. This is a significant gap for evaluating a school that carries students all the way to grade twelve. A parent considering Petrides for the high school years would want to seek that information directly from the school.
The school sits within New York City Geographic District 31, which covers all of Staten Island. The district faces a notable shortage of elementary seats, with ongoing construction and school additions planned to address capacity strain. This broader context means that families may face tight school assignment processes or rezoning in coming years.
Housing values in the area are modest relative to the state benchmark and well above the national average, with median rents in the zip code at typical market rates. The immediate neighborhood is mixed in character—the North Shore includes maritime industry, transit access, and retail corridors alongside residential blocks.
Petrides offers continuity from early childhood through high school in a single building, which appeals to some families for stability and ease of transition. The early elementary proficiency results are respectable, but the consistent drop-off in the middle grades, especially in math and science, is worth investigating further with the school. For families considering high school, the absence of public test data and graduation outcomes is a meaningful limitation, and direct inquiry about upper-grade performance and college and career pathways would be essential before making a decision.
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