I.S. 318 Eugenio Maria De Hostos

This is a school on a remarkable upward trajectory. ELA proficiency has climbed from 33% in 2016 to 78% in 2025 — a 45-point gain over nine years. Math followed a similar path, reaching nearly 70%. Against the district averages of 62% ELA and 59% math, I.S. 318 now outperforms most of its District 14 peers. Grade-level data shows strong performance across all three grades, with 7th grade particularly standout at 82% in both subjects. The overall 2.96/4 score reflects this improvement, well above the district average of 2.44.

The survey data paints a picture of a school where families feel genuinely heard and respected — parent-principal trust hits 98%, and parent satisfaction sits at 91%. Teachers report strong collegial trust (89%) and high faith in instruction quality (92%). The discipline data shows improvement: suspensions have dropped from 47 in 2021-22 to 35 in 2023-24, though the 4% suspension rate still exceeds the district average of 0.56% — a gap worth noting. The catch: chronic absenteeism at 74.7% is extraordinarily high, suggesting that while families value the school, getting kids there consistently is a struggle for many.

The school population reflects its neighborhood almost exactly: 51% Hispanic, 23% White, 16% Black, and 6% Asian, with a diversity index of 70%. With 65% economic need and 20% IEP students, this is a community with real challenges — yet the school has found ways to deliver strong academics. The demographics suggest this is a neighborhood school at heart, not a selective enclave, despite its screened admissions.

South Williamsburg is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood with deep roots in the Hasidic Jewish and Puerto Rican communities. The area scores highly on family density (85th percentile) and transit access (87th percentile), making it accessible for commuters, but scores lower on safety (46th percentile) and has environmental health concerns (elevated lead and asthma rates). With a median home value over $800,000 but median household income under $40,000, the neighborhood embodies the economic pressures many families here face.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong subway access — families without cars can reach the school easily via the nearby subway lines. However, the area's foot traffic and street density mean parents of younger or more vulnerable children may prefer accompanying them to school.