Original Research by School Decision on August Martin High School
August Martin High School is a small, regular public high school located in Jamaica, Queens, serving students in grades nine through twelve. The school enrolls a modest number of students across its four grade bands, with freshman enrollment notably larger than senior enrollment.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic enrollment and smaller populations of Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and other students. More than three-quarters of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a high level of economic need among the population served. This economic context aligns with Jamaica's position as a diverse, working-class residential and commercial neighborhood anchored by a major transit hub, Jamaica Station, and marked by ongoing residential development and institutional anchoring from York College and health systems. Housing values in the Jamaica zip code are elevated relative to national benchmarks, and the neighborhood has seen steady residential growth through new mixed-use development.
State testing data and graduation rate information were not available for this school, which means a reader cannot assess academic proficiency or completion outcomes from the provided data. This gap may reflect the timing or scope of reported results; however, state assessment and graduation metrics are standard reporting requirements, so a parent may want to look into this further directly with the school or the New York City Department of Education to understand how August Martin's students perform on state measures and what proportion complete high school on time.
August Martin sits within Geographic District #27, which serves Queens. The district has experienced substantial enrollment decline and maintains considerable excess capacity, particularly at the middle school level, with multiple under-utilized buildings. This context may influence broader district decisions around school utilization and program offerings, though specific decisions about August Martin's future are not provided in the available data.
At the district level, two lasting curriculum changes apply to all schools: the NYC Reads mandate requires all elementary schools to use a single phonics-based reading curriculum, and the NYC Solves mandate requires all high schools, including August Martin, to adopt Illustrative Mathematics for their math instruction, a curriculum emphasizing conceptual understanding over procedural rote learning. These shifts represent sustained changes to how core subjects are taught.
Information about course offerings, staffing levels, discipline policies, special education services, English learner services, attendance patterns, and other dimensions of the school environment was not provided. A parent considering this school would benefit from requesting details about course breadth, particularly AP or advanced pathways if the student is college-bound, as well as information about support services for students with disabilities and English learners. Direct contact with the school can clarify the specific learning environment and programs available.
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