Motley
District 1818
PublicDistrict 18Unscreened

Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences

5800 TILDEN AVENUE

At a Glance

A small, arts-focused high school with exceptional family-teacher relationships and near-zero discipline incidents in a culturally rich Brooklyn neighborhood

Best suited for

Families who prioritize a safe, trusting school environment with strong teacher-leadership relationships and are drawn to the school's arts and culinary programs. This school works well for students who thrive in smaller settings and for families who value community connections over large-scale athletics or extracurricular variety. The competitive admissions process means families should apply early and consider both program offerings. Families uncomfortable with the neighborhood's safety indicators may want to explore transportation options or consider alternative placements.

What stands out
  • Exceptional teacher-principal trust (100%) — a rare metric indicating strong, stable leadership
  • Zero suspensions in the reporting period, contrasting sharply with the 1.04% district average
  • Parent satisfaction (94%) and parent-principal trust (99%) well above district averages
  • Specialized programs in Culinary Arts and Cultural Academy College Prep with competitive admissions (16-20% offer rates)
  • Rich program offerings (77.8/100) including arts, AP courses, ELL support, and 13 sports
  • Small enrollment (204 students) allows for more individualized attention
Things to consider
  • No academic proficiency data available — parents should request recent state test results directly
  • Very low PTA fundraising ($4/student vs. $22.67 district average) may limit volunteer-funded resources
  • Limited diversity — 85% of students are Black, with low representation of other groups
  • Small school size (204 students) means fewer course options and less built-in peer variety
  • Survey response rates are modest (35% family, 12 teachers) — while positive, broader input could strengthen findings
  • East Flatbush safety indicators are below average — families should evaluate their comfort with the neighborhood

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 18

District 18 includes several strong-performing peer schools, with Cultural Academy sitting among them based on program richness and survey indicators. The school's peer schools (like P.S. 244 Richard R. Green at 79/100 and East Flatbush Ascend at 81/100) represent the district's higher-performing options. Without test score data, direct comparison is difficult, but the school's trust metrics and climate data place it among the more well-regarded options in the district — particularly for families prioritizing a positive school culture over raw academic metrics.

AcademicsLimited data

Academic proficiency data was not available at the time of this report. The school offers AP Courses alongside its arts-focused curriculum, and maintains a class size of 21.9 students — identical to the district average. Without state test scores to compare, parents should request recent progress data directly from the school to understand student achievement trajectories.

Culturestrong

This is where the school truly stands out. Parent satisfaction hits 94% (above the 92.75% district average), but the teacher trust numbers are extraordinary — 100% of teachers trust the principal, 98% trust parents, and 97% rate instruction quality as high. These are rare numbers that suggest strong, collaborative leadership. The school recorded zero suspensions in the reporting period, compared to a 1.04% district average — a strong indicator of a positive school climate. Teacher collegial trust sits at 95%, suggesting healthy professional relationships among staff.

Community

This is a predominantly Black school in a neighborhood with deep Caribbean and African-American roots. Student demographics show 85% Black, 11% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 2% White enrollment, with an 80.5% economic need index — meaning most students come from families facing significant financial challenges. The diversity index sits at 30%, which is lower than many city schools, reflecting the neighborhood's relatively homogeneous population. Nearly 3 in 10 students have IEPs, indicating robust special education services. PTA fundraising is notably low at $4 per student compared to the $22.67 district average — a factor that may affect volunteer-dependent programs.

NeighborhoodEast Flatbush-Rugby

East Flatbush is a working-to-middle-class Brooklyn neighborhood known for its Caribbean restaurants, cultural institutions, and family-oriented feel. The area scores relatively high on transit access (68th percentile) and family density (61st percentile), making it manageable for commuters. However, safety indicators are concerning — the crime density and lead exposure rates are elevated, and the safety score sits in the 30th percentile. The neighborhood has a median home value of $668,743 with a 38.8% homeownership rate, suggesting a stable community of long-term residents. Education orientation scores at 53rd percentile, indicating moderate family emphasis on schooling.

Families travel from across the district to attend, with the school's location near major thoroughfares making it accessible by bus and subway. The area's transit score suggests reasonable commute options, though walking may not be practical for all families given the neighborhood's spread.

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
94%
Teacher Trust
98%
Principal Trust
99%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
97%
Principal Trust
100%
Collegial Trust
95%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 99 families responded (35% rate)

Programs & Activities

Academic(1)
AP Courses
Arts(1)
Arts
Sports(12)
BaseballBasketballBowlingCross CountryFlag FootballFootballIndoor TrackOutdoor TrackSoccerStuntSwimmingVolleyball
Language(2)
ELL SupportSpanish

Admissions Demand

Culinary ArtsHighly Competitive

Students are taught by chefs who have several years of experience in the restaurant industry. They begin by studying Kitchen Safety & Sanitation and progress through Recipes, Weights and Measures; Flavor and Nutrition; Knife Skills, Vegetable and Meat Fabrication; Stocks, Broths, Soups and Sauces; Cooking Methods, Techniques and Terms; International Cuisines. Students also learn through, internships, catering events, running a lunch cafe, and field trips to produce markets and restaurants.

Seats67
Applicants341
Apps/Seat5.1
Offer Rate20%
Cultural Academy College PrepHighly Competitive

Advanced sequence of study to prepare students for post-secondary work and informed selection of majors. This cutting-edge national pilot program of curriculum, instruction, and mentoring was designed in collaboration with our national college partners.

Seats22
Applicants142
Apps/Seat6.5
Offer Rate16.7%

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Low
11%Hispanic/Latino
85%Black
2%White
2%Asian

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

PTA Fundraising

2024-25
$734total raised
$4per student

Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
80.5%
IEP Students
28.4%

Discipline

0suspensions

NYSED Student & Educator Database

Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in East Flatbush-Rugby.
What grades does Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences serve?
Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences serves grades 9 to 12.
How do students get into Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences?
Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
Is Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences public, charter, or private?
Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences is a public school in NYC Community School District 18.
What neighborhood is Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences in?
Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences is in East Flatbush-Rugby, Brooklyn.
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