J.H.S. 218 James P. Sinnott

Test scores at J.H.S. 218 are well below the District 19 average — 30.8% in ELA versus the district's 48.9%, and 27.5% in Math versus 48.2%. Science proficiency is particularly low at 13.7%. However, the school has made meaningful gains over time: ELA rose from 13.5% in 2016 to the low-30s range by 2023-2025, and Math climbed from the mid-teens to above 20%. Grade 7 performs strongest (35.9% ELA), suggesting the middle years may be where students benefit most from the school's approach. The overall quality score of 1.17/4 reflects the distance yet to travel, but the upward trend is real.

The climate data tells a mixed story worth understanding. Parent satisfaction is exceptional at 91%, and both parent-teacher trust and parent-principal trust score 85%. Teachers report extremely high confidence in instruction quality (93%) and in their principal (90%). However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 48.9% — nearly half of students are missing significant school time. This pulls down the overall attendance rate to 86.3%. Discipline has improved steadily: suspensions dropped from 21 in 2021-22 to just 12 in 2023-24, suggesting the school is finding better ways to manage behavior. The school climate feels committed and relational, but chronic absence is a real barrier to academic progress.

The school enrolls 306 students, making it a small middle school. The demographic makeup is predominantly Black (44%) and Hispanic (38%), with 11% Asian, 2% white, and 3% Native American students. Nearly 27% of students have IEPs, indicating significant special education services. The diversity index is 68%, reflecting a relatively homogeneous student body typical of many District 19 schools. With 87.9% economic need, this is a high-poverty school serving families in a neighborhood where median household income is around $58,000 and only 29% of residents own homes.

East New York-New Lots is a predominantly residential Brooklyn neighborhood in District 19. Families here face economic pressures — the poverty rate is 22.6% and only 29% of households own homes. The neighborhood scores low on safety (31.42 out of 100) and stability (5.36), but higher on transit access (68.58) and family density (63.6). There are parks and community resources in the area, though families report safety concerns that are reflected in the neighborhood scores. For families considering the school, the area is accessible by transit but requires awareness of local conditions.

The school is located on Fountain Avenue in East New York. Families arrive by walking, by car, and via nearby bus routes. The neighborhood's transit score (68.58) indicates reasonable public transit access, though many families likely rely on car or bus commutes.