Edmund W. Gordon Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School

The 2025 test scores represent a remarkable turnaround — math proficiency jumped 27 percentage points from the prior year (26.9% to 53.9%), and ELA rose to 55.1%, both exceeding District 13 averages (53.1% ELA, 45.9% math). However, looking at the trajectory from 2019 to 2024 reveals a concerning pattern: scores dipped significantly during the pandemic years and only rebounded sharply this year. The 8th graders are performing strongest (63.2% ELA, 59.7% math), while 7th grade shows the most ground to cover (42.3% ELA). The overall quality score of 2.18/4 sits slightly above the district average of 1.98, but this is heavily weighted by the recent jump.

The survey data tells a mixed story. Teachers report exceptional confidence: 100% rated instruction quality as good or very good, and 100% trust the principal — these are extraordinary numbers that far exceed district averages. However, only 80% of teachers report collegial trust, suggesting some friction among staff. Parent satisfaction is notably low at 61.4% compared to the district average of 90.6%, though the family survey response rate was just 2% (only 3 families responded), making this data unreliable. With 30% chronic absenteeism — nearly double the district average — and an 82.5% attendance rate, getting students to school consistently is a real challenge. The chronic absenteeism rate is notably higher for female students (33.7%) than male (27.1%).

The student body is predominantly Black (77%) with significant Hispanic representation (17%), while the surrounding neighborhood is affluent, highly educated (73.3% BA+), and predominantly white. With 81.7% economic need index and 25% IEP students, this school serves a population with substantial support needs — quite different from the high-income families in the nearby blocks. The diversity index of 43% reflects a school that is less demographically diverse than the neighborhood itself, as the school draws students from across Brooklyn through its lottery.

The school sits in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill — a transit-rich, high-income area with excellent subway access (98th percentile transit score) but significant safety concerns (21st percentile safety score). The neighborhood has median home values of $1.46 million and only 15.1% of households have children, making it a corporate and professional hub rather than a family-oriented community. Despite the affluence, the poverty rate is 15.5% and the neighborhood scores poorly on health environment indicators. There are parks and cultural institutions nearby, but families should be aware this is a high-crime-density area.

The area is highly walkable with excellent transit — families can easily access multiple subway lines. However, the neighborhood's low family density means many students commute from other parts of Brooklyn rather than walking from nearby homes.