I.S. 349 Math, Science & Tech.

Test scores at I.S. 349 sit below the district average — 30.6% ELA proficiency versus the district's 45.9%, and 33.1% math versus 43.2%. The school earned a 1.27 overall score on the city's 4-point scale, compared to the district average of 1.78. There was meaningful growth from 2016 to 2019 (ELA rose from 15.8% to 31%, math from 6.1% to 28.9%), but scores have seesawed since — math peaked at 33.1% in 2025 while ELA dipped to 30.6%. Grade-level data shows Grade 7 performing slightly better than 6 and 8 in both subjects, but gaps are modest. Parents and teachers both report strong instruction quality (95% and 95% respectively), which suggests classroom teaching may be stronger than test scores indicate — a disconnect worth investigating.

Here's what stands out: parent trust and satisfaction are exceptional — 96% parent-teacher trust and 97% parent-principal trust are rare numbers, and 94% of parents report satisfaction with the school. Teachers rate instruction quality at 95%, well above the district average of 86%. However, the chronic absenteeism rate of 66.5% is a serious concern — that's nearly two-thirds of students missing significant school time. Attendance sits at 90%, below the district average of 91.9%. Discipline is stable and low — only 3 suspensions (2% rate), down from 4 in 2021-22. Teacher collegial trust (76%) is notably lower than parent trust, suggesting some tension among staff. The day-to-day feel seems to be one where families who are present feel very connected, but a large portion of students are chronically absent — a pattern that likely contributes to the test score struggles.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (83%) with meaningful Black (11%) representation, reflecting Bushwick's demographics. Twenty-three percent of students have IEPs, and the economic need index sits at 88.4% — this is a high-need population. With only 257 students across three grades, the school is small and intimate. The diversity index of 34% is relatively low, meaning the student body is fairly homogeneous — which is typical for this neighborhood but worth noting for families seeking more diverse environments.

Bushwick is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood in north Brooklyn. The safety score (17.62) is low, reflecting the realities of the area, but transit access (84.29) is excellent. The family density score (72.41) confirms this is a neighborhood where many families live, though only 11.1% of households own homes — most families rent. Median home values have risen to $882,472, but the poverty rate sits at 20.4%, meaning significant economic diversity exists side by side. Education orientation scores moderately high (59.39), suggesting many families in the area prioritize schooling.

Bushwick is highly walkable and well-served by multiple subway lines, making this school accessible to families without cars. The area is urban and pedestrian-friendly, though street safety is a consideration given the low safety score.