At a Glance
A sought-after unscreened high school with a strong arts and humanities focus in a family-dense Brooklyn neighborhood
Families seeking a small (540 students), unscreened high school with strong humanities and arts programming, who value high parent satisfaction and a restorative discipline approach. Best suited for families who prioritize transit accessibility and education-oriented community over neighborhood stability, and who are comfortable with limited PTA-funded extras. The school's competitive admissions mean families should apply early.
- Zero suspensions — a discipline approach that prioritizes restorative practices
- Very high parent satisfaction (92%) and teacher instruction quality (97%)
- Highly competitive admissions with 11.1% offer rate for Humanities, Arts & STEM program
- Rich programming (90/100 score) including AP courses, ELL support, and diverse arts/sports offerings
- Strong family survey response rate (129 responses) indicating engaged parent community
- No academic test score data provided — cannot compare proficiency to district averages
- Teacher-principal trust (72%) is notably lower than other trust measures, suggesting some staff leadership tension
- PTA fundraising is very low ($2/student vs. $44 district average) — limited parent organization funding
- IEP students represent 22% of enrollment — inclusive environment but may require additional advocacy
- Neighborhood safety scores are low (19th percentile) — families should factor this into daily logistics
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 17
Among District 17 peer schools, Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts doesn't have a quality snapshot score for direct ranking comparison. However, its competitive admissions (11.1% offer rate) and strong survey satisfaction scores position it as a desirable option. Peer schools in the area include several high-performing charter schools (Success Academy schools scoring 96-98) and traditional schools like P.S. 249 (89/100). The school's unscreened admissions model makes it more accessible than screened charter options.
Academic test score data for this school is not available in the current dataset, making direct performance comparison to district averages (ELA: 60.5%, Math: 57.3%) difficult. However, the school offers AP Courses, STEM, humanities, and world language programs, indicating a college-preparatory focus. The admissions demand — 1,146 applicants for 124 seats — suggests families see academic value here, even without published proficiency metrics.
The school shows exceptionally strong survey results on nearly every measure. Parents report 92% satisfaction, and both parent-teacher trust (94%) and parent-principal trust (93%) are well above district averages. Teacher instruction quality rated 97% — notably high. However, teacher-principal trust sits at 72%, which is notably lower than other trust measures and suggests some tension between staff and leadership that parents may want to understand further. With zero suspensions, the discipline environment appears restorative rather than punitive.
The student body is 81% Black, 16% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% White, reflecting the demographic composition of the surrounding Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate neighborhood. With a diversity index of 34% and 75.6% economic need, the school serves a predominantly low-to-moderate income population. Twenty-two percent of students have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support, indicating commitment to inclusive programming.
Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate is a transit-rich neighborhood (81st percentile) with strong education orientation (82nd percentile), making it attractive for families prioritizing accessibility and academic community. However, safety scores are low (19th percentile), and neighborhood stability is minimal (8th percentile). Median home values are high at $949,275, while homeownership is low at 22.5%, indicating a transient, rental-heavy community. The area offers solid park access and family density (75th percentile).
The neighborhood is highly walkable with excellent transit access — families can rely on public transportation or walking for daily commutes, which is typical for this dense urban area.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 129 families responded (29% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
This is an ideal school for students who want the best academic and technological foundation to prepare them for college or career. We have challenging blended-learning and online classes with opportunities for students to succeed in a supportive and friendly community. Students go to college early, and monthly trips are part of a curriculum that allows them to experience the ever-changing world. We use a variety of technology to enhance learning and develop life-changing 21st century skills.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate.
- What grades does Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts serve?
- Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts?
- Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts admits mostly by lottery, with a modest preference for students who show interest (a tour or info session).
- Is Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts public, charter, or private?
- Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts is a public school in NYC Community School District 17.
- What neighborhood is Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts in?
- Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts is in Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate, Brooklyn.
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Discipline
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