I.S. 98 Bay Academy

Test scores here are exceptional — 87.5% ELA and 92.8% math proficiency blow District 21 averages (60% and 63% respectively) out of the water. The school has maintained this edge for years, though there's been some fluctuation: ELA peaked at 93% in 2018, dipped to 84.5% in 2024, and sits at 87.5% now. Math has been steadier, hovering in the high 80s to mid-90s for nearly a decade. Grade 7 pulls the heaviest weight with 96.4% math proficiency — these kids are doing high school-level work. With an overall score of 3.61 out of 4, this is squarely in district elite territory.

The survey numbers paint a remarkably cohesive community — 100% of teachers rate instruction quality as good, 99% trust the principal, and 95% of parents report satisfaction with 96% trusting the principal. These are numbers most schools only dream about. Attendance at 93.2% slightly edges the district average, but here's the catch: chronic absenteeism sits at a staggering 76.2%, suggesting many students are technically present but frequently missing. Discipline is essentially nonexistent — just 5 suspensions last year, a rate of 0%. The vibe is clearly trusting and collaborative, though the chronic absenteeism figure is worth watching.

This is a predominantly white (53%) and Asian (32%) student body — notably less diverse than the city average but on par with the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood itself, which skews white and has a 52.8% homeownership rate. Only 8% Hispanic and 2% Black enrollment means this school doesn't reflect the broader district's diversity. Economic need index sits at 55.4%, indicating a mix of middle-class and working families, though the neighborhood's median income ($79,582) and relatively low poverty rate (13%) suggest most families are financially stable. About 11% of students have IEPs, and the school reports ELL support.

Sheepshead Bay-Manhattan Beach-Gerritsen Beach is a stable, family-dense area in southeastern Brooklyn with strong education orientation (72.41 percentile). The neighborhood has a suburban feel with single-family homes, a moderate crime density, and decent transit options (56.7 percentile). Median home values at $721,560 reflect the area's desirability for families, though the family density (68.97 percentile) and relatively low stability score (22.99) suggest some transience. It's not the most exciting part of Brooklyn, but it works for families prioritizing safety and schools.

The school sits near Emmons Avenue in a residential area — families in the immediate Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach neighborhoods can walk, but most students likely commute by bus or car given the area's moderate transit scores and the school's district-wide draw through audition admissions.