J.H.S. 014 Shell Bank

Test scores at Shell Bank remain below the District 22 average — 38.6% ELA and 49.9% math proficiency versus the district's 61% on both subjects. However, the long-term trend shows meaningful growth: math proficiency has more than doubled from 22.5% in 2016 to 49.9% in 2025, and ELA improved from 20% to 38.6% over the same period. Grade 7 students perform strongest, with 59.6% math proficiency — nearly reaching the district average. The overall quality score of 1.77/4 reflects continued ground to make up, but the trajectory suggests steady improvement, particularly in math, which jumped 18 percentage points between 2022 and 2025.

The survey data tells a remarkable story: 92% of parents report satisfaction, 93% trust teachers, and 95% trust the principal. Teachers are equally positive — 96% rate instruction quality highly and 97% trust the principal. This level of community trust is unusual and suggests strong leadership and relationships. However, attendance is a real concern: 88.4% daily attendance is below the 91.4% district average, and a striking 51.4% of students are chronically absent. The suspension rate of 2% is low and stable, and discipline data shows no alarming patterns. The gap between survey warmth and attendance struggles may reflect the screened admissions model — families invest in the school but some face logistical or motivational barriers to attendance.

With 469 students across three grades, Shell Bank has a class size (23.9) that matches the district average. The student body is diverse: 37% Black, 26% White, 21% Hispanic, and 15% Asian, with a diversity index of 77%. A high economic need index of 85.7% indicates most families face significant financial challenges, and 32% of students have IEPs — both well above typical rates. The neighborhood is relatively stable with a 52.8% homeownership rate and median home values over $721,000, though 13% of residents live below the poverty line. The community is predominantly white-collar with 43% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Sheepshead Bay-Manhattan Beach-Gerritsen Beach is a moderately dense, family-oriented Brooklyn neighborhood with decent transit options and a strong education orientation (72 percentile). The area offers waterfront access, several parks, and local shopping along Sheepshead Bay Road. Median household income of nearly $80,000 and homeownership above 50% suggest a stable, middle-class community. Safety scores are moderate at 59, and the neighborhood has typical urban environmental considerations like traffic density and air quality metrics that are worth noting for families evaluating the area.

The school is accessible by foot from surrounding blocks; families in the immediate Sheepshead Bay area can walk, while those from nearby Gerritsen Beach or Manhattan Beach may rely on buses or cars given the neighborhood's moderate transit score of 57