PS 121Q
A Beacon of Educational Excellence
 |  |
|---|
About Our School
A Beacon of Educational Excellence
At PS 121Q, we cultivate a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where every student is supported, challenged, and inspired. Located in the heart of Ozone Park, our school proudly serves a diverse community of over 700 students and 100 dedicated staff members.
​
We believe that learning should be transformative—both inside and outside the classroom. Through a wide range of academic programs, social-emotional supports, and enrichment opportunities, we empower our students to grow as curious thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged citizens.
​
Looking for a school where your child can thrive and make a difference in the world? You’ve found the right place.
Mission Statement
P.S. 121Q is committed in ensuring that every student is provided with the skill sets to achieve grade level expectations in a safe, diverse, nurturing, and supportive environment, that takes into account each child's unique learning needs and fosters creativity, accountability, and a sense of community in order for them to become successful lifelong learners.
 |  |  |  |
|---|
A Message from our Principal
Mr. Nicholas J. Patrello
Dear P.S. 121Q Families,
​
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year!
We hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer. We are excited to begin a new year of learning, growth, and community at P.S. 121Q — a school where every child is valued, every voice is heard, and learning is a shared journey.
​
This year, we are proud to welcome several new members to our P.S. 121Q family:
-
Mr. Thomas Hirdt
-
Ms. Kailey McEnroe
-
Ms. Brooke Munoz
-
Ms. Luisa Carasco
-
​
We look forward to the energy and expertise they bring to our already incredible team of educators.
As we begin the new school year, we remain focused on providing the best possible education for every student. A key area of focus will be small group instruction, which allows teachers to target students’ individual academic needs and help them grow with confidence. We’ve seen great success with this approach, and we’re excited to continue building on it this year.
​
We are also introducing Success Criteria to help students understand exactly what success looks like in each lesson. By making learning goals clear and measurable, students will be better equipped to take ownership of their learning and feel proud of their progress.
​
We ask for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning at home — from establishing routines to encouraging curiosity and kindness. Your support makes all the difference, and we thank you for trusting us with your child’s educational journey.
​
Please make sure to stay connected by reading school notices, checking your child’s backpack regularly, and updating your contact information in the main office if anything has changed. We look forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school, Thursday, September 4, 2025!
​
Together, let’s make this school year a successful, joyful, and inspiring one for every child.
​
In Partnership,
​
Nicholas J. Patrello
Principal, PS 121Q
Our Vision
Our vision is to equip children for the demands and opportunities of the 21st century by offering a differentiated, effective and rigorous curriculum to be committed learners for life. Â We believe that through hard work, determination and discipline our students will succeed!
Philosophy
We believe that students learn best when they are provided access points to support learning. To support this belief, we have chosen an instructional focus that ensures teachers' use of discussion protocols, depth of knowledge (DOK) wheel, and conversational prompts. We believe students need to be actively engaged in lessons and tasks that are differentiated and meet the demands of being a 21st Century Learner.
Principal Priority
To build the capacity of teachers and paraprofessionals to empower student agency and ensure all learners are prepared to meet the academic, social, and emotional demands of the 21st century. This work will center on the effective use of student data to differentiate instruction that meets individual student needs across academic, social, and emotional domains.
​
A key focus will be on supporting students in analyzing complex texts to strengthen vocabulary development, academic discourse, and written language, aligned to NYCPS Literacy Shifts 3 (Complex Texts), 7 (Academic Vocabulary), and 8 (Discourse and Writing). Students will be supported in developing metacognitive skills by self-monitoring their progress toward learning objectives using clearly defined success criteria, fostering ownership of their learning and increasing engagement.
Continue to strengthen students’ social-emotional competencies by deepening their ability to utilize self-regulation strategies within a supportive and inclusive school culture. This will be sustained through our weekly SEL Check Periods, providing structured opportunities for reflection, emotional awareness, and connection.
​
Through this integrated focus on rigorous, responsive instruction and intentional SEL practices, our goal is to cultivate confident, self-directed learners who are equipped with the academic skills and emotional resilience to thrive in today’s world.