John Ericsson Middle School 126

Test scores at John Ericsson have undergone a remarkable transformation — math proficiency rose from 14.4% in 2016 to 41.3% in 2025, and ELA climbed from 23.2% to 48.2% over the same period. Both metrics remain below the district averages (62.4% ELA, 59.5% math), but the gap is closing. Grade 7 stands out as a powerhouse: 65.9% math proficiency and 54.8% ELA. Grade 6 shows solid foundations at 40% ELA and 36.6% math, while Grade 8 math drops to 26.8%, suggesting the school may need to strengthen instruction in the upper grades.

The climate data tells a nuanced story. Families absolutely love this school — parent satisfaction hits 96%, trust in teachers reaches 98%, and trust in the principal is nearly universal at 99%. Teachers rate instruction quality at 93% and collegial trust at 93%, though teacher-principal trust lags at 77%. The discipline picture is clean: zero suspensions in 2023-24 after just 2 the prior year, down from 9 in 2021-22. But attendance is a real challenge — 55.7% chronic absenteeism, driven particularly by male students (64.8%) and white students (76.5%), suggesting some families may be opting out of regular attendance despite positive perceptions of the school.

With only 223 students across three grades, this is a small school with a tight-knit feel. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (63%) and Black (26%), with a high economic need index of 85.6%. More than a third of students (36%) have IEPs — double what you'd see in a typical district school. The diversity index sits at 55%. This community profile differs sharply from the surrounding Greenpoint neighborhood, which skews childless, highly educated, and affluent — the school essentially serves a different population than the neighborhood's residents.

Greenpoint is a paradoxical location for a middle school. It has an education orientation score of 85 (very high), yet only 12.6% of households have children — meaning most residents have already finished their schooling years. The median home value is a staggering $1.34 million, and 83% of residents rent rather than own. Transit access is moderate (56) and safety is average (54). Families considering this school should know that the immediate neighborhood is heavily oriented toward young professionals, not families with school-age children — there aren't many peer families around for spontaneous playdates or neighborhood walks to school.

Families travel from beyond Greenpoint to reach this school, as the neighborhood's low child density means most students don't live within walking distance. The area has moderate transit access, but parents should expect a commute — this isn't a neighborhood where most kids walk to school.