At a Glance
A high-performing charter school with exceptional family trust and a decade of steady academic growth
Families who value academic excellence, strong family-school partnerships, and diverse classrooms — and who are comfortable with charter school lottery admissions. This school particularly appeals to parents who prioritize elementary-grade performance and want a K-8 pathway with proven academic trajectory.
- Academic performance far above district averages with 80.7% ELA and 75.6% math proficiency
- Exceptional family trust scores (98% parent-teacher and parent-principal trust)
- Consistent nine-year upward trajectory in test scores
- Strong elementary performance with grades 3-5 showing 79%+ math proficiency
- High teacher-reported instruction quality (96%)
- Diverse student body with 79% diversity index
- As a charter school, there is a lottery-based admissions process rather than zoned enrollment
- Charter schools operate independently with different governance structures than traditional district schools
- The 25% IEP population suggests inclusive practices, but parents of students with significant special needs should inquire about specific support structures
- Located in an urban neighborhood with variable safety indicators — families should visit to assess personally
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 13
Community Roots Charter School significantly outpaces its District 13 peers — it ranks 96/100 compared to the next highest peer school at 91/100. Against district averages, it performs markedly better in both academics and family satisfaction metrics.
This school is a clear academic standout — ELA proficiency at 80.7% and math at 75.6% far exceed District 13 averages of 53% and 46% respectively. But what really stands out is the trajectory: scores have climbed steadily from the mid-40s in 2016 to where they are today, with particularly strong performance in the elementary grades (grades 3-5 all hit 79%+ in math). The overall score of 3.13 out of 4 places it well above the district average of 1.98.
The survey data tells a remarkable story — 96% parent satisfaction, 98% trust between families and teachers, 98% trust in the principal, and 96% of teachers rate the instruction quality as strong. These numbers are well above district averages across the board. Attendance is excellent at 95.9% versus the district average of 89.2%. Teacher-reported safety sits at 95%, essentially on par with the district average of 96%. The discipline climate appears healthy with strong collegial trust among teachers (94%).
The student body is notably diverse: 45% white, 23% Black, 15% Hispanic, 9% multiracial, and 7% Asian, with a diversity index of 79%. This contrasts interestingly with the neighborhood's demographics. About a quarter of students have IEPs, and the economic need index sits at 33.3% — moderate compared to many district schools.
Fort Greene is a transit-rich, family-oriented neighborhood with strong education orientation scores (78.54 percentile). Families will find easy subway access (92.72 transit score) and abundant community resources. The area has a higher homeownership rate than many Brooklyn neighborhoods, though median home values are over $1.1 million. Safety indicators show some concerns (27.59 safety score), though this reflects broader urban density rather than school-specific issues.
Fort Greene is highly walkable with excellent subway access — families can easily commute without cars
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) · 285 families responded (61% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Community Roots Charter School a good school?
- On Motley, Community Roots Charter School earns an overall quality score of 78/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 13 average.
- What grades does Community Roots Charter School serve?
- Community Roots Charter School serves grades K to 8.
- How do students get into Community Roots Charter School?
- Community Roots Charter School is a charter school — it admits through a free public lottery, with no test or attendance zone.
- Is Community Roots Charter School public, charter, or private?
- Community Roots Charter School is a public charter school in NYC Community School District 13.
- What neighborhood is Community Roots Charter School in?
- Community Roots Charter School is in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
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