J.H.S. 162 The Willoughby

Test scores at The Willoughby have improved meaningfully over the past decade — ELA proficiency has risen from 17.2% in 2016 to 32% today, while math climbed from 9.5% to 28.7% — but both remain below the district averages of 45.9% ELA and 43.2% math. Science performs stronger at 45.9%, and Grade 8 students outperform their peers in ELA (40%). The school earns a 1.21 overall quality score against a district average of 1.78. Scores fluctuated in recent years, with a dip in 2024 before recovering in 2025, suggesting some instability in academic programming.

The day-to-day culture at The Willoughby tells a compelling story that counters the modest test scores. Parents report 94% satisfaction and near-universal trust in teachers (97%) and the principal (95%). Teachers echo this: 85% rate instruction quality as good or excellent, and 93% trust their colleagues. Attendance sits at 92.8% — matching the district average — but chronic absenteeism is high at 74.4%, which may reflect the broader health challenges in this neighborhood (asthma rates are notably elevated). Discipline is minimal with just 5 suspensions last year (2%), a number that has declined from 9 the prior year.

This is a predominantly Hispanic school (87%) with small Black (7%), Asian (3%), and White (3%) populations, reflecting the demographics of Bushwick itself. With only 300 students across three grades, class sizes stay small at 20.8 — essentially identical to the district average but feeling more intimate in practice. Nearly a quarter of students (22%) have IEPs, and the school offers ELL support. The economic need index sits at 88.2%, indicating that most families face significant financial challenges.

Bushwick is a dense, working-to-middle-class neighborhood in north-central Brooklyn with excellent transit access (84.29 score) — families can get around without a car. The family density score is high (72.41), meaning lots of kids in the area, though the safety score is notably low (17.62). Air quality and environmental health present concerns: lead exposure rates are elevated (21.2%) and asthma-related emergency visits run high (104 per 10,000). There are parks and community resources, but the area has seen displacement pressures with only 11% homeownership.

Given the high transit score, most families arrive via bus or subway. The school sits in a walkable urban grid, though safety concerns on surrounding streets mean many parents accompany younger students.