J.H.S. 220 John J. Pershing

Math performance is the school's standout strength — 78.2% proficiency beats the district average of 71.2% by a meaningful margin. ELA at 56.1% trails the district average of 66.2%, though the school has nearly doubled its ELA scores from 28.7% in 2016. The overall quality score of 2.69/4 sits just below the district average of 2.75, reflecting solid but not exceptional overall performance. Grade-level breakdowns show consistency across grades 6-8, with 8th graders slightly outperforming in both subjects.

The survey data tells a compelling story: nearly every parent and teacher trusts the leadership (97% parent-teacher trust, 97% teacher-principal trust). Instruction quality scores are strong at 94%, and parent satisfaction matches the district average at 94%. However, chronic absenteeism at 87.5% is notably high, with significant variation by subgroup — Asian students show 95% attendance while Hispanic students show 72%. Suspensions total 22 annually (2% rate), above the district average of 0.3%, though the trend has held steady rather than grown. The day-to-day feel appears collaborative and trusting, though chronic absenteeism suggests some families face logistical or motivational barriers to getting kids to school consistently.

The student body is predominantly Asian (57%) and Hispanic (37%), with very low Black (1%) and White (5%) enrollment. This mirrors the neighborhood demographics in a part of Brooklyn with a large immigrant population. The economic need index of 86.9 indicates significant poverty, higher than many surrounding schools. At 1,249 students, the school is larger than typical for a middle school, though class sizes average 25 — matching the district average. The diversity index of 49% reflects a school that is somewhat less diverse than the city overall but reflects its neighborhood.

This section of Brooklyn combines a high family density (77th percentile) with strong education orientation (79th percentile), making it a natural fit for a middle school. However, the safety score of 31 is notably low, and the neighborhood shows elevated crime density and collision rates. Median home values are high at $933,000, though household income lags at $57,000 — indicating many families are cost-burdened. The area has good transit access (59th percentile) and the neighborhood's family-friendly character is evident in its demographics (30% households with children).

The school is located in a walkable urban neighborhood with moderate transit access. Families from the surrounding blocks typically walk or take public transit. Given the area's traffic and safety concerns, younger students may benefit from organized walking groups or parent accompaniment.