At a Glance
A sought-after neighborhood high school where strong family trust meets limited seats and a 7% acceptance rate
Families seeking a supportive, community-oriented neighborhood high school in Williamsburg who value strong parent-school relationships and can navigate competitive admissions. Parents should be comfortable with the 7% acceptance rate and prepared to explore backup options. Best fit for students who thrive in a diverse, high-need environment with strong peer support networks and extensive extracurricular offerings. Families should visit to assess the teacher-principal dynamic firsthand.
- Exceptional family trust scores (96% parent-teacher, 98% parent-principal)
- Highly competitive admissions (7.1% offer rate, 1,497 applicants for 110 seats)
- Zero suspensions — restorative discipline approach
- Rich programming (90/100) with 40+ clubs, extensive sports, and AP courses
- Strong teacher instruction quality ratings (96%)
- Dedicated ELL support and 17% IEP student population
- Teacher-principal trust (76%) is notably lower than other trust metrics — worth asking about during school visits
- No proficiency test scores provided limits academic performance assessment
- Very low acceptance rate means families should have backup options
- Neighborhood safety scores are low (29th percentile) — families should evaluate their comfort level
- 17% of students have IEPs — ask about specific supports and resource allocation
- Economic need is high (78%) — this is a school serving students facing real out-of-school challenges
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 14
Among District 14 peers, Brooklyn Prep stands out for its community trust and competitive admissions. While nearby charter schools like Success Academy (94-97/100) score higher on program quality metrics, Brooklyn Prep offers a traditional public school option with strong family engagement and zero suspensions. The district average for parent satisfaction is 94% — Brooklyn Prep matches this. The school occupies a middle ground: more selective than typical district schools, but without the intensive screening of the top charters.
Test score data isn't provided in this dataset, but the school offers AP courses alongside a STEM and Humanities focus, with strong supports for English Language Learners (17% of students have IEPs). The average class size of 21.6 students matches the district average, allowing for personalized attention. Without proficiency data available, the academic picture relies on program richness and teacher-reported instruction quality — both strong at 96%.
The survey data tells a compelling story: families trust this school deeply, with 96% parent-teacher trust and 98% parent-principal trust — exceptional numbers. Teacher instruction quality scores 96%, matching parent sentiment. However, there's a notable gap in teacher-principal trust at 76%, lower than the teacher-to-teacher collegial trust of 91%. This suggests some tension between staff and leadership that parents may want to inquire about during visits. Attendance data wasn't provided, but the zero suspensions indicate a restorative approach to discipline rather than punitive measures. The 29% family survey response rate is decent but means not all voices are represented.
This is a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body (42% Black, 53% Hispanic) in a neighborhood that has undergone significant demographic and economic shifts. The diversity index of 47% reflects the school's demographics — less diverse than the citywide average, but representative of this pocket of Brooklyn. With 78% economic need, the school serves a population that faces real challenges outside school walls, yet parent engagement is high (159 family survey responses) and satisfaction tops 94%. The 17% IEP population is served through dedicated supports.
Williamsburg is a neighborhood of contrasts: highly educated (63% BA+), transit-rich (84th percentile), and family-dense (84th percentile), yet it scores poorly on safety (29th percentile) and stability (3rd percentile). The median household income of $128,876 and median home value over $1.3 million reflect the area's gentrification, while the 15.6% poverty rate and 12.5% households with children show ongoing diversity in resident circumstances. For families, the tradeoffs are real: excellent subway access and schools nearby, but higher costs and some safety concerns.
Williamsburg is highly walkable with excellent subway access (L, G, J, M lines nearby). Families can comfortably walk or bike to school, though the neighborhood's density and traffic patterns require attention. The area's popularity with young families means school commutes are often social events.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 159 families responded (29% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
We develop the Habits of Mind (Perspective, Analysis, Connections and Expression), Work (Resourcefulness, Organization, Perseverance, Eagerness and Self-Awareness), and Heart (Flexibility, Insight, Role and Empathy) that students need to succeed in a challenging college program and fulfilling career.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Brooklyn Preparatory High School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Brooklyn Preparatory High School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Williamsburg.
- What grades does Brooklyn Preparatory High School serve?
- Brooklyn Preparatory High School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Brooklyn Preparatory High School?
- Brooklyn Preparatory High School uses the Educational Option (Ed-Opt) method, ranking applicants across performance levels so seats go to a mix of abilities.
- Is Brooklyn Preparatory High School public, charter, or private?
- Brooklyn Preparatory High School is a public school in NYC Community School District 14.
- What neighborhood is Brooklyn Preparatory High School in?
- Brooklyn Preparatory High School is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
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