At a Glance
A career-themed high school in one of Brooklyn's most affluent neighborhoods, serving a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body with near-perfect parent satisfaction
Families seeking a diverse high school environment in an affluent neighborhood, particularly those interested in biomedical or pre-law academic tracks. Parents who prioritize a school with strong family trust and minimal disciplinary issues over top test scores. The competitive Biomedical program suits academically ambitious students, while the Pre-Law track offers a more accessible pathway.
- Near-universal parent satisfaction (98%) with exceptional trust scores
- Zero suspensions — notable in a school with high economic need (79) and 20% IEP population
- Two specialized career-themed programs (Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Law) drawing citywide applicants
- Strong teacher-rated instruction quality (94% vs. 89% district avg)
- Significant demographic diversity in student body (60% Black, 32% Hispanic) compared to surrounding neighborhood
- Academic test scores not provided — unable to fully assess academic performance against district peers
- Teacher-principal trust is notably low (66%) — worth investigating during a school visit
- Very low PTA fundraising ($2/student vs. $491 district average) suggests limited parent financial resources going back to the school
- Teacher survey response rate is extremely low (21 responses) — survey data may not fully represent staff views
- 20% IEP population and 79 economic need index means many students arrive with significant support requirements
- Biomedical Sciences program is highly competitive (20% offer rate), but Pre-Law is more accessible (33%)
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 15
In a district with highly rated peer schools like P.S. 172 (95/100) and Success Academy Charter - Cobble Hill (95/100), this high school doesn't have a comparable quality score provided. The district's average overall rating is 2.6/4. Without test score data, it's difficult to position this school academically among its peers, but the strong parent satisfaction and zero suspensions suggest a positive school culture that families value.
Test score data is not provided in this dataset, so a direct comparison to the district's 65% ELA and 63% Math averages isn't possible. The school offers AP Courses and has STEM and World Languages programming, with class sizes averaging 25 students — essentially on par with the district average of 25. The Biomedical Sciences program (20% offer rate) and Pre-Law Institute (33% offer rate) indicate competitive admissions for these specialized tracks.
This is where the school genuinely stands out. Parent satisfaction hits 98% — well above the district average of 93% — and parent trust in both teachers and the principal sits at 98%. Teachers rate instruction quality at 94%, outpacing the district average of 89%. However, there's a notable split: teacher-principal trust lands at only 66%, and teacher collegial trust at 79%, suggesting some tension between staff and leadership that doesn't translate to the family experience. Zero suspensions is a strong data point, indicating effective behavior management.
The student body is 60% Black and 32% Hispanic, with only 3% White and 4% Asian students. This is a predominantly Black and Hispanic school in a neighborhood that is 67% college-educated with a median household income of $140,000 — a meaningful disconnect between who lives in the neighborhood and who attends this school. The economic need index of 79 (among the highest in the district) and 20% IEP population indicate significant student support needs.
Cobble Hill is one of Brooklyn's most desirable neighborhoods — tree-lined streets, brownstones, and a family-oriented feel with 86th percentile family density. The median home value of $1.7 million tells you everything about the economic reality here. Transit access is moderate (42nd percentile), and the area scores around average on safety (51st percentile). There's strong education orientation in the neighborhood (87th percentile), though that doesn't necessarily translate to this school's enrollment.
The school is in a walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with easy access to local shops and transit. Families from outside the immediate area likely rely on the subway or bus lines connecting to the rest of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 220 families responded (71% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Whether discovering new cancer treatments or teaching healthy lifestyle choices, today's biomedical science professionals are tackling big challenges to make the world a better place. Our Biomedical Science students, through Project Lead the Way courses, are taking on these same real-world challenges while still in high school. Students engage in compelling, hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to problems using the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs.
Are you a natural debater? Are you interested in issues of social justice, advocacy, and equity? Then our comprehensive four-year Pre-Law Institute and American Studies offerings may be the best fit for you. While in high school, our pre-law students are introduced to professional opportunities in criminal, constitutional, family, and civil law. Students engage in legal research, engage in moot court and mock trial, and learn about careers in law through simulations and real world experiences.
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 Cobble Hill School of American Studies a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Cobble Hill School of American Studies yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook.
- What grades does Cobble Hill School of American Studies serve?
- Cobble Hill School of American Studies serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Cobble Hill School of American Studies?
- Cobble Hill School of American Studies uses the Educational Option (Ed-Opt) method, ranking applicants across performance levels so seats go to a mix of abilities.
- Is Cobble Hill School of American Studies public, charter, or private?
- Cobble Hill School of American Studies is a public school in NYC Community School District 15.
- What neighborhood is Cobble Hill School of American Studies in?
- Cobble Hill School of American Studies is in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook, Brooklyn.
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