J.H.S. 062 Ditmas

Test scores at Ditmas are below District 20 averages — ELA proficiency of 51.7% and math at 51.4% compared to district averages of 66% and 71% respectively. However, the school has shown meaningful improvement over time: math grew from 27% in 2016 to over 54% by 2023 before settling at 51.4%, and ELA climbed from 31% to a high of 58% in 2023. Grade 8 students perform notably stronger (60.8% ELA, 55.3% math) than Grade 6 (46% ELA, 45.2% math), suggesting students make solid progress during their middle school years. The overall score of 2.06 out of 4 places the school below the district average of 2.75.

Family satisfaction is exceptionally high: 95% of parents report satisfaction and 97% express trust in the principal. Teacher instruction quality scores 82%, though teacher-principal trust (73%) and teacher collegial trust (77%) are notably lower than parent trust levels. Attendance is a concern — the 90.6% attendance rate falls below the 94% district average, and chronic absenteeism is high at 66.7%, affecting all demographic groups. However, discipline has improved significantly: suspensions dropped from 23 in 2022-23 to just 9 in 2023-24, giving the school a 1% suspension rate that mirrors the district average.

With 958 students, Ditmas has a diverse enrollment: 42% Asian, 31% Hispanic, 13% Black, and 13% White. The diversity index of 74% reflects this mix. The economic need index of 82.4% indicates a high-poverty population, with 19% of students having IEPs. The school reflects Kensington's demographic shifts — a neighborhood with a median household income of $82,763, 50.9% of residents holding a BA+, and 22.1% of households with children.

Kensington is a densely populated, family-oriented neighborhood in central Brooklyn with moderate transit access (70/100 score) and high family density (79/100). However, the neighborhood scores poorly on safety (34/100) and has elevated environmental health concerns, including a notably high asthma emergency department rate (104 per 10,000) and elevated lead exposure rates. The area has seen significant development and changing demographics in recent years, with a mix of older housing stock and newer construction.

The school is located on a major commercial corridor with good subway access via the Q and F lines, and the neighborhood is generally walkable. Families from surrounding Ditmas Park and Kensington neighborhoods walk or take short bus rides; some families drive from farther-flung parts of the district.