Medgar Evers College Preparatory School

Test scores here run well above the District 17 average — 81.2% ELA proficiency versus 60.5% district-wide, and 66.2% math versus 57.3%. The school earned a 2.95 overall score on the city's 4-point scale, putting it in the upper tier. However, the trend line shows some wobble: scores peaked in 2018 (ELA 86.1%, Math 77.3%), dipped during the pandemic disruption (2022 saw math fall to 52.8%), and have been climbing back since. Grade 6 students are performing strongest (85% ELA, 75.8% math), while middle school grades lag — Grade 7 math sits at 58.7%, suggesting a dip in the middle grades that families may want to monitor.

The culture here earns near-unanimous praise from families — 99% of parents report satisfaction and trust in both teachers and the principal, and 100% say instruction quality is high. Teacher responses are more mixed: 83% trust the principal and 82% trust colleagues, decent but not as glowing. Attendance is strong at 95.4%, well above the district average. Notably, there were zero suspensions last year — a standout data point for a school this size. The family survey drew strong participation (747 responses), suggesting engaged parents. The day-to-day feel appears collaborative and trusting, with families feeling heard and teachers broadly supportive, though a modest gap exists between parent and teacher sentiment toward leadership.

The student body is 86% Black, reflecting the neighborhood's demographics, with small Hispanic (6%), Asian (3%), and white (1%) populations. Economic need sits at 55.4%, meaning just over half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — a moderate need level. Eight percent of students have IEPs. The diversity index is low at 30%, meaning the population is fairly homogeneous, which aligns with the neighborhood's character. Families here are clearly engaged: the PTA raised $46,000 last year (about $32 per student), slightly above the district average.

Crown Heights (South) is a neighborhood in transition with strong transit access (77th percentile) and a solid family orientation (79th percentile), though safety scores rank low (13th percentile). The median home value is $1.18 million, and 36% of residents hold bachelor's degrees — above average for the city. Families will find neighborhood resources skewed toward longtime residents, with lower homeownership (14.5%) and a moderate poverty rate of 20%. The area has improved in recent years but still carries some safety concerns that are common in Brooklyn's central neighborhoods.

Well-served by transit with high walkability in the immediate Carroll Street corridor, though families from farther-flung parts of the neighborhood may rely on bus or car — the area is pedestrian-friendly but drivers should expect street parking challenges during peak times