At a Glance
A relationship-driven middle school in Canarsie where families feel deeply connected to leadership but where academic performance data remains limited
Families who prioritize a school where they feel personally connected to leadership and who are comfortable with a less data-transparent academic environment. Parents who want clear, comparable academic metrics may want to look elsewhere. The school may appeal to families who prefer a restorative discipline approach and to those with children who have IEPs, given the school's inclusion of SE grades.
- Exceptional parent-principal trust (97%) — families clearly feel connected to school leadership
- Zero suspension rate — the school has found alternatives to out-of-school discipline
- Strong teacher-to-teacher collegiality (95% trust) despite challenges with principal trust
- Includes SE (special education) grades, serving students with IEPs in the middle school setting
- No published test score data available — academic performance cannot be compared to district or peer schools
- Teacher-principal trust is low (59%), which may affect staff morale and consistency
- Only 14 teachers completed the staff survey — response rate is very low and may not represent full staff views
- Parent satisfaction (87%) is below the district average (92.75%)
- Teacher instruction quality rated 76%, below the district average of 89.8%
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 18
Among peer schools in District 18, Lenox Academy does not appear in the available peer comparison list (which includes East Flatbush Ascend, P.S. 244, P.S. 208, P.S. 276, New American Academy, and Canarsie Ascend). Without test score data, the school cannot be directly ranked against these peers. However, the survey data suggests a school that prioritizes relationship-building over measurable academic outcomes, which may or may not align with what families are seeking.
Test score data is not available for this school in the most recent data year, which means parents cannot directly compare academic performance to the district average of 58% ELA and 61% math. This absence of data is the most notable academic finding — families selecting this school will need to seek out additional information about classroom instruction and student outcomes directly from staff.
The survey data reveals a school with strong family connections but some internal tension. Parent trust is exceptional — 97% trust in the principal and 92% trust in teachers — suggesting families feel heard and supported. However, teacher-principal trust sits at only 59%, notably below the district average, which could signal communication gaps or leadership challenges that affect staff morale. On the positive side, teacher collegial trust is excellent at 95%, meaning teachers work well with each other. The 0% suspension rate indicates either effective behavior management or a restorative approach to discipline, though the lack of suspensions should not automatically be interpreted as an absence of behavioral challenges.
The school draws from Canarsie, where half of households own homes and the median home value approaches $700,000 — indicating a financially stable neighborhood. However, only 28.7% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, below many other parts of the city. The neighborhood has a moderate poverty rate of 12.8%, suggesting a working- and middle-class community. The school serves grades 6-8 plus SE (special education), indicating it includes students with special needs in the middle school population.
Canarsie is a southeastern Brooklyn neighborhood characterized by tree-lined blocks, a strong sense of community, and relatively affordable housing for the city — though prices have risen significantly. The neighborhood has moderate transit access (66th percentile) and decent family density (56th percentile). Safety indicators show moderate concern: the crime density and collision rates are notable, though not extreme. The area has some environmental health considerations — PM2.5 levels and asthma rates warrant awareness. There are local parks and shopping along Flatlands Avenue that serve families.
Canarsie is generally walkable with neighborhood streets, though families commuting from other parts of Brooklyn or Queens will likely rely on car or bus transportation.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 85 families responded (33% rate)
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Lenox Academy M. S. 961 a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Lenox Academy M. S. 961 yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 6 to 8 in Canarsie.
- What grades does Lenox Academy M. S. 961 serve?
- Lenox Academy M. S. 961 serves grades 6 to 8.
- Is Lenox Academy M. S. 961 public, charter, or private?
- Lenox Academy M. S. 961 is a public school in NYC Community School District 18.
- What neighborhood is Lenox Academy M. S. 961 in?
- Lenox Academy M. S. 961 is in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
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