J.H.S. 291 Roland Hayes

Test scores here are significantly below district averages — 25.4% in ELA and 19.5% in Math compared to district averages of roughly 46% and 43% respectively. That said, the school has climbed substantially from its 2016 baseline (10.2% ELA, 8.1% Math), with the most recent years showing real if uneven growth. Grade 7 stands out as a bright spot with 34.5% ELA proficiency, while Grade 6 students are performing at just 17.3% in ELA. The 2025 math scores dropped notably from 2024's 29.2%, suggesting inconsistent progress across subjects and grade levels.

There's a striking disconnect here: teachers rate instruction quality at 99% and trust in leadership at 100%, and parents report similarly high trust scores (92-94%). Yet the suspension rate has climbed from 4 students in 2021-22 to 11 in 2023-24 (4% of enrollment), above the district average of 1.2%. The chronic absenteeism rate of 65.6% is also concerning — nearly two-thirds of students are missing significant school time. Teacher collegial trust sits lower at 69%, which may relate to the small staff size (only 32 teacher survey responses). Families report feeling heard and respected, but the day-to-day experience appears uneven, with attendance being a real struggle for many students.

This is a predominantly Hispanic school (92%) in a neighborhood where that matches the local demographic. With 90% economic need and 18% of students receiving special education services, the population has significant support needs. The school is small at just 284 students, which means class sizes stay manageable at about 21 students. The diversity index is low at 20%, reflecting the homogeneous student body, but this reflects the neighborhood composition rather than a school-specific issue.

Bushwick is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood in north Brooklyn with an increasingly family-oriented character despite only 12% of households having children. The area has seen significant development, with median home values now above $900,000, though 24% of residents live below the poverty line. Transit access is excellent (90th percentile), making commutes manageable, but safety indicators show concerns — crime density and asthma rates are notably high, and air quality (PM2.5) and lead exposure are issues families should be aware of when considering the overall health environment.

Students typically walk or take public transit — the neighborhood is highly walkable with good subway access, though parents should factor in commute times from different parts of the district since this is a screened school drawing from beyond the immediate area.