Legacy School of the Arts

Test scores at Legacy School of the Arts fall significantly below District 19 averages — ELA proficiency at 35.1% versus the district's 48.9%, and math at just 20.1% versus 48.2%. The school's overall score of 1.1/4 places it well below the district average of 1.94. Looking at trends, scores have been volatile: math spiked to 31.9% in 2023 before dropping back to 20.1% in 2025, while ELA has drifted downward from a high of 41.9% in 2022. Grade-level data reveals a particular concern — 8th graders show only 8.8% math proficiency, while 6th graders are performing highest in both ELA (37%) and math (42.9%). The pattern suggests younger students may be entering with stronger foundations, but progress stalls as they move through the grades.

Survey data reveals a stark divide between family experience and teacher experience. Parents report strong trust in the principal (94%) and teachers (91%), with satisfaction at 85% — though this still trails the district average. However, teacher sentiment tells a different story: only 23% trust the principal, and teacher-rated instruction quality sits at 64% compared to the district average of 87.9%. This trust gap is notable and suggests potential leadership challenges affecting staff morale. Attendance is a serious concern — the 87.6% rate is below district average, and chronic absenteeism at 49.7% means roughly half of students are missing significant school time. The suspension rate of 6% is substantially higher than the district average of 1.6%, though it has fluctuated (17 in 2022-23, down to 11 in 2023-24) suggesting some improvement in discipline approaches.

Legacy School of the Arts serves a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body (59% Black, 32% Hispanic) in a neighborhood where the economic need index is extremely high at 90.9%. Twenty-six percent of students have IEPs, suggesting significant special education support needs. The school's diversity index of 56% reflects a fairly homogeneous population typical of many District 19 schools. At 157 students across three grades, class sizes average 21.8 — roughly equivalent to district averages but small enough for some individualized attention. The family survey response rate of 36% (56 responses) gives some insight into parent sentiment, though response rates suggest engagement may be limited.

East New York-New Lots is a working-class Brooklyn neighborhood with significant challenges. The safety score of 31.42 is low, reflecting higher crime density (2,565 per area) compared to many parts of the city. However, transit access is reasonable (68.58 score), and the family density score of 63.6 indicates a community with children. The poverty rate of 22.6% and median household income of $58,087 are below citywide averages, while homeownership at 29.3% reflects a predominantly rental neighborhood. The education orientation score of 37.93 suggests this isn't a neighborhood where families prioritize school selection above other factors — parents here are navigating more fundamental concerns. The area has seen development in recent years but remains underserved in many respects.

Families in the neighborhood typically walk or use local bus service. The area has moderate transit access via bus routes connecting to subway lines, though commuting from other parts of the city can be lengthy. The neighborhood's lower safety score may factor into how parents think about travel, particularly for younger students.