Principal's Message
Dear Current and Prospective Families,
Welcome to PS 329Q – East Elmhurst Community School! My name is Rachel Staroba, and I am honored and proud to serve as the Founding Principal of our wonderful school community.
East Elmhurst Community School began as my final thesis project at Columbia University. My group and I envisioned a school where families felt not only welcomed, but truly integral to the school community. We sought to design a culture and curriculum where children could see themselves reflected in their learning—empowering them to think critically, make meaningful choices, and recognize their ability to create change in the world.
Our proposal was approved as a new school in the fall of 2013, and with the support of incredible colleagues, we have continued to build upon that original vision. Together, we’ve created a thriving community that welcomes students and families as part of our PS 329Q family—always growing and evolving to meet the needs and interests of East Elmhurst.
I believe that elementary school is a time for exploration and discovery—a time for children to learn what inspires them and to begin defining who they are. That’s why we offer a rich variety of enrichment opportunities across the arts, chess, inquiry-based learning, dialogue, and the sciences. Since 2020, we’ve expanded this work through our beautiful gardens, which now include community composting, the growing of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as outdoor classrooms and a greenhouse. Within our students, we see dancers, musicians, chess masters, authors, illustrators, artists, and scientists—they only need someone to open the door and help them find that spark.
I also believe that deep, trusting relationships between children and their teachers are essential for learning. This belief guides our approach—we do not departmentalize at early grades, and we offer a range of clubs and after-school programs to ensure students can connect with caring adults who know and nurture them as individuals.
Education should never be about compliance. The world today calls for thinkers, creators, and innovators. We encourage children to question, explore, and form their own ideas through reading, discussion, and writing. In writing workshops, for example, students express their unique voices, develop opinions, and learn to support their ideas with evidence—all essential skills for lifelong learning and leadership.
I look forward to connecting with you and welcoming your involvement in the ongoing evolution of East Elmhurst Community School. Our school is, and will always be, a reflection of our community. We could not do the work we do without the strong partnerships we share with our families.
Choosing an elementary school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. I invite you to visit us, ask questions, and see firsthand the joy and curiosity that fill our classrooms. To our current families—thank you for trusting us with your children. Together, we send them off to middle school with well-rounded experiences, a love of learning, and the confidence to shine wherever they go.
Peace ✌️ , Love ❤️ , Pride 🦁,
Rachel Staroba
Founding Principal, PS 329Q – East Elmhurst Community School
