Brooklyn Arbor Elementary School

Test scores at Brooklyn Arbor are strong and trending upward. ELA proficiency at 76% and math at 70.7% both exceed District 14 averages (62.4% and 59.5%) by a meaningful margin. The school's 2.93 overall score also beats the district average of 2.44. Looking at the trend, scores have grown substantially from 2016 (when ELA was 37.6% and math 42.6%) to 2025, with particularly impressive jumps in 2018 and again in 2024-2025. Grade 5 students are performing especially well in ELA (84.6%), though math dips slightly to 64.9% in that grade — a pattern worth watching.

The culture here is a clear strength. Teachers report 100% safety, and parent trust metrics are exceptional: 97% parent-teacher trust and 96% principal trust. Nearly all families (95%) report strong relationships with the school. However, there's a tension: while overall attendance is strong at 93.2% (well above the 88.9% district average), chronic absenteeism is strikingly high at 78.6% — meaning many students miss significant school time despite the school being seen positively. This could indicate families struggle with consistent attendance for reasons beyond school satisfaction. Discipline is excellent with zero suspensions for three consecutive years.

The school reflects its neighborhood's demographics: 55% Hispanic and 35% White, with a diversity index of 58%. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, and the economic need index sits at 52.1%. The PTA raises substantial funds ($408 per student, more than triple the district average), indicating active family involvement. Class sizes average 21.6 students, nearly identical to the district average.

Williamsburg is a highly educated, transit-rich neighborhood with young families — the education orientation score is 83.91 and transit score is 83.91. Median household income is $128,876, though 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line. However, the safety score is notably low at 28.74, with elevated crime density and environmental concerns (asthma rates, lead exposure). The area has strong family density (83.52) but low stability (2.68), suggesting a transient population.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with excellent subway access — families can easily commute without cars, though the area's safety concerns may factor into how younger children are walked to school