Norma Adams Clemons Academy

Test scores at Norma Adams Clemons have climbed significantly since 2016, when just 20% of students were proficient in ELA and 19% in math — the 2025 results show 45% ELA and 37% math proficiency. That's genuine growth, but the school still trails the District 17 averages (60.5% ELA, 57.3% math) by a meaningful margin. The grade-level breakdown reveals a pattern: third graders perform strongest in ELA (61%) but dip in math (40%), while fifth graders are more consistent across both subjects (around 37-40%). The school earned a 1.62 overall quality score on the 4-point scale, below the district average of 2.36, placing it in the lower tier of District 17 schools — though the upward trajectory suggests something is working.

The culture here is defined by strong relational trust — 94% of parents trust teachers, 93% trust the principal, and 93% report strong relationships at the school. Teachers are equally invested: 99% rate their instruction quality highly, 93% feel safe at work, and 87% trust leadership. There's been zero suspension for three consecutive years, indicating a restorative or supportive approach to discipline. However, the 57.9% chronic absenteeism rate is a serious concern — more than half of students are missing significant school time, which directly impacts learning. The family survey response rate of just 18% means the satisfaction data represents a subset of families, so take the 87% parent satisfaction with a grain of caution.

With 630 students in grades PK-5, this is a mid-sized elementary school. The student body is predominantly Black (69%) with significant Hispanic representation (23%), reflecting the surrounding East Flatbush neighborhood. White and Asian families make up just 6% combined. The diversity index of 48% is relatively low, meaning students here have less exposure to socioeconomic and racial diversity than the city average. Eighteen percent of students have IEPs, slightly above typical. The economic need index of 82.4% is high — most families here qualify for free or reduced lunch — indicating significant financial challenges in the community.

East Flatbush is a densely populated, family-oriented Brooklyn neighborhood with strong Caribbean roots, particularly Jamaican and Haitian communities. The area scores high on family density (76th percentile) and transit access (71st percentile), making it practical for commuting families. However, safety scores are low (10.73 out of 100), and the stability score (14.94) suggests some neighborhood turnover. The median home value of $710,000 reflects the broader Brooklyn housing market but may be out of reach for many families in the community, where median household income is $71,675 and 16% live below the poverty line. There's moderate access to parks and outdoor space, though the health environment score (18) indicates some environmental quality concerns.

The neighborhood is walkable and well-served by local bus routes, with good subway connectivity for a Brooklyn neighborhood. Families in the zone can typically walk or take short bus rides. However, the low safety score suggests parents may prefer accompanying younger children, especially during evening hours.