Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts

Test scores at this school are significantly below the District 13 averages — 27% ELA proficiency versus 53% district-wide, and just 13.9% math versus 46%. The historical trend shows real growth from 2016 to 2018, a dip in 2019 and 2022, and recovery through 2024, but the overall trajectory is uneven. Grade 8 students entering the school show stronger ELA performance (41.2%) than the overall student body, suggesting the academic struggles may deepen during high school years rather than being present from entry.

The climate data tells a nuanced story. Parent satisfaction (82%) and parent-principal trust (96%) are remarkably high — families feel heard and connected to leadership. Teachers report strong collegial trust (94%) and confidence in instruction quality (89%). However, attendance is a serious concern: only 78% attendance rate with 39.6% chronic absenteeism, far worse than the district's 89% attendance. The 6% suspension rate is also notably higher than the district average of 1.4%, though it has remained relatively stable over three years. The day-to-day feel seems to be one of strong relationships within a community that struggles with consistent attendance and has elevated disciplinary incidents.

The student body is predominantly Black (72%) with significant Hispanic representation (24%), reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. With 90.2% economic need index and 30% IEP students, this is a school serving students with high support needs. The diversity index of 41% is moderate. At 295 students across grades 9-12, it's a small school where everyone knows each other — which can be a positive for community but also means limited scale.

Fort Greene is a highly transit-accessible neighborhood (92.72 score) with strong family density (78.16) and education orientation (78.54), making it an attractive area for families prioritizing urban convenience and educational resources. The median home value of $1.17 million and 58.9% BA+ education rate indicate an educated, affluent population, though 17.3% poverty rate shows economic diversity. The safety score is low (27.59), which parents should factor in, and the health environment score (21.46) raises some concerns about environmental factors.

Excellent transit access makes this highly reachable by subway — families rely heavily on public transportation rather than walking in this urban environment.