At a Glance
A high-performing charter school that has nearly doubled its ELA proficiency in eight years while serving a predominantly Black student body in a transit-friendly Brooklyn neighborhood
Families who prioritize academic performance and are comfortable with the charter lottery process will find a school that delivers strong test scores, especially in the upper grades. The exceptional attendance culture suggests this works best for families who can ensure consistent daily presence. Given the lower teacher satisfaction scores, parents who are highly involved and able to advocate for their children may navigate this environment more successfully. The school is particularly well-suited for families in the East Flatbush area who want a rigorous option without long commutes, or those willing to navigate the charter application process for above-average academics.
- Math and ELA proficiency rates that exceed district averages by 15-18 percentage points
- Exceptional attendance rate (97.2%) nearly six points above district average
- Consistent year-over-year academic improvement since 2017
- Strong upper-grade performance (6th-8th grade math all above 83%)
- Science proficiency of 86.2% — notably strong
- Teacher instruction quality scores are low (50.8%) compared to district average (89.8%) — this may reflect charter environment challenges
- Family survey response rate was 仅1% (4 responses), making climate data unreliable
- Parent satisfaction (80.8%) trails district average (91.2%)
- No suspension rate data provided — discipline transparency is limited
- Charter school means no zoned enrollment — requires lottery application
- 13% IEP population suggests limited specialized support resources compared to some district schools
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 22
Among District 22 peer schools, Central Brooklyn Ascend scores solidly alongside top performers like Success Academy Bergen Beach (89/100) and Sheepshead Bay (86/100), as well as high-performing P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach (85/100). Its charter status places it in a different category than zoned district schools, but academically it competes with the best in the district. The school's overall score of 3.16/4 puts it well above the district average of 2.43, making it one of the stronger options in central Brooklyn for families seeking academic rigor.
These numbers are striking — 80% ELA and 78% math proficiency, both well above the district averages of 61% and 60% respectively. The school also outperforms the district's overall quality score (3.16 vs 2.43). Looking at grade-level data, performance climbs sharply in the upper grades: 8th graders hit 90.8% ELA and 88.4% math, while 6th grade math reaches 91.4%. This suggests the school's academic program strengthens considerably as students move through the grades, building skills progressively.
The attendance rate of 97.2% is exceptional — nearly six points above the district average — indicating strong daily engagement from families. However, the survey data raises some flags. Parent satisfaction sits at 80.8%, which is notably lower than the district average of 91.2%. More concerning, teacher instruction quality scores just 50.8% versus the district average of nearly 90%, and the family survey response rate was仅有1% (4 responses), making it hard to draw firm conclusions about climate. The school didn't provide suspension rate data, so discipline trends aren't fully visible. Parents should know: the day-to-day attendance culture appears strong, but teacher satisfaction and family voice may be areas where the school has room to grow.
The student body is predominantly Black (85%), with Hispanic students at 10% and minimal Asian and white representation (1% each). This mirrors the East Flatbush-Erasmus neighborhood's demographics, where the population is largely Caribbean-American and African-American. With an economic need index of 74 (meaning 74% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch), the school serves a predominantly low-income population. The diversity index of 32% reflects this relatively homogeneous community. About 13% of students have IEPs, slightly below what you might expect in a high-need district.
East Flatbush-Erasmus is a family-dense neighborhood in central Brooklyn with strong transit options (71st percentile) and a high percentage of households with children. The median home value of $710,000 reflects gentrification pressures, but the poverty rate of 15.8% and relatively low homeownership (17.4%) indicate many renting families. Safety scores are low (10.73 percentile), which is a reality of many Brooklyn neighborhoods — parents should factor this into their commute decisions. The area has decent parks and family resources, and the education orientation score of 39 suggests this isn't a highly academic enclave, making a strong school like this one even more valuable.
The neighborhood scores high on transit (71st percentile), meaning most families can rely on public transportation. For those in the immediate area, walking is feasible given the residential density. Families commuting from farther afield will find the area accessible via subway and bus lines that serve central Brooklyn.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Science Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Science exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 4 families responded (1% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School a good school?
- On Motley, Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School earns an overall quality score of 79/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 22 average.
- What grades does Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School serve?
- Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School serves grades K to 8.
- How do students get into Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School?
- Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School is a charter school — it admits through a free public lottery, with no test or attendance zone.
- Is Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School public, charter, or private?
- Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School is a public charter school in NYC Community School District 22.
- What neighborhood is Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School in?
- Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School is in East Flatbush-Erasmus, Brooklyn.
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