At a Glance
A rising-momentum middle school with exceptional family satisfaction and screened admissions, serving a high-need community
Families seeking a small, screened middle school with strong academic momentum and excellent family communication — particularly those who can support consistent attendance. Works well for families who value rich arts and elective programs and who feel comfortable navigating an urban commute. Parents who want high teacher satisfaction scores and a community-oriented feel may find this fits, but families concerned about chronic absenteeism rates should ask the school about their intervention strategies.
- Screened admissions (limited seats, competitive entry)
- Exceptional parent satisfaction and trust scores (100% across all measures)
- Remarkable academic turnaround — math proficiency increased from 7% to 69% in nine years
- 100/100 program richness score with extensive arts, STEM, and elective offerings
- Small enrollment (313) allows for personalized attention
- ELL Support program for multilingual learners
- Students outperform district averages in both subjects
- Chronic absenteeism at 65% is a significant concern — nearly two-thirds of students miss significant school time
- Suspension rate (1%) slightly exceeds the district average of 0.56%
- PTA fundraising is minimal ($14/student vs. $123 district average), suggesting limited parent financial resources or engagement
- High economic need (83%) means many families face systemic challenges that may affect school involvement
- Attendance patterns differ by demographics — worth investigating what's driving disparities
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 14
John D. Wells ranks competitively against district peers, though it's a public screened school rather than a charter. It outperforms the district average in academics and parent satisfaction, though chronic absenteeism is notably higher. Among District 14 middle schools, this screened option sits alongside strong peers — families comparing would find it offers more personalized attention than larger zoned schools.
Test scores at John D. Wells have nearly tripled over nine years — ELA climbed from 21% to 66% and math from 7% to 69%, now both surpassing District 14 averages (62% ELA, 59% math). The 2.7 overall quality score also beats the district average of 2.44. Grade-level data shows eighth graders leading in ELA (71%) while seventh graders excel in math (77%), suggesting strong progression through the middle school years.
Survey data tells a striking story: parents rate satisfaction, trust in teachers, and trust in principals all at 100%, while teachers report 99% instruction quality and 100% trust in leadership. The school has reduced suspensions from 8 to 5 over three years. However, chronic absenteeism at 65% is a serious concern — notably higher among female students (67%) and white students (91%), though lower for Black students (60%). The 90% daily attendance rate masks underlying attendance challenges that affect about two-thirds of the student body over time.
With 313 students, this is a small middle school where 67% of students are Hispanic, 23% Black, and 33% have IEPs — reflecting a high-need population. The diversity index sits at 51%. Notably, the neighborhood around the school is quite different: $129K median income, only 16% poverty, and 63% college-educated adults. This creates an interesting dynamic where the school serves a more economically diverse student body than the immediate neighborhood might suggest.
Williamsburg offers families excellent transit access (84th percentile) and a strong family-oriented community (84th percentile), with high education orientation among residents. However, safety scores are low (29th percentile), and the area has elevated environmental health concerns including asthma rates and air quality indicators. Families with children represent 83% density here, making it a hub for young families despite the safety trade-offs.
The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong transit options — families typically arrive on foot or via subway, fitting the urban middle school commute pattern
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 331 families responded (82% rate)
Programs & Activities
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells a good school?
- On Motley, J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells earns an overall quality score of 68/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 14 average.
- What grades does J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells serve?
- J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells serves grades 6 to 8.
- How do students get into J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells?
- J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells public, charter, or private?
- J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells is a public school in NYC Community School District 14.
- What neighborhood is J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells in?
- J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
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