New Heights Middle School

Test scores at New Heights are significantly below the District 17 average — ELA proficiency of 36.1% and math at 25.7% compared to district averages of 60.5% and 57.3% respectively. The school earned an overall quality score of just 1.24 out of 4, far below the district average of 2.36. There's a mixed historical trend: scores rose steadily from 2016-2019, then jumped dramatically in 2022-2023 (ELA peaked at 45.7%) before declining over the past two years. Grade 8 shows the strongest ELA performance at 42.9%, while Grade 7 leads in math at 40.5% — suggesting some grade-level pockets of strength within the broader struggle.

The climate data reveals a notable disconnect between family experience and teacher experience. Families are highly satisfied: 92% overall, with 98% trusting teachers and 95% trusting the principal. Teachers report 100% instruction quality — exceptional. However, teacher-principal trust sits at only 71%, and teacher collegial trust at 78%, suggesting leadership challenges that may affect staff morale. Attendance is slightly above district average at 92.6%, but chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 74.4% — far too many students are missing significant school time. Discipline has improved: suspensions dropped from 8 in 2022-23 to just 2 last year.

New Heights serves 206 students in grades 6-8, with a class size of 22 matching the district average. The student body is predominantly Black (73%), with 14% Hispanic, 9% Native American, and small percentages of Asian and white students. Twenty percent of students have IEPs. The diversity index is 48%, and the economic need index of 86.2% indicates significant household poverty. This is a high-need community served by a school where nearly all families are satisfied — a notable achievement given the academic challenges.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate is a transit-rich, family-oriented Brooklyn neighborhood with an education orientation score of 81.61 — meaning families here prioritize schooling. Median household income is $73,345 with a 15.9% poverty rate and only 22.5% homeownership, indicating a predominantly renting population. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (18.77) and stability (8.05), with elevated crime density and asthma rates. However, transit access is excellent (81.23) and family density is high (75.48). The area has seen rising home values (median $949,275), reflecting broader Brooklyn gentrification pressures.

The school is highly accessible by public transit given the neighborhood's strong transit score. Families likely walk or take buses; the area is pedestrian-dense but parents should be aware of the safety concerns reflected in neighborhood data.