P.S. 001 The Bergen

Test scores at P.S. 001 are well below District 15 averages — ELA proficiency sits at 39.9% versus the district's 65.5%, and math at 36.5% versus 63.3%. The school earned an overall quality score of 1.53 out of 4, far below the district average of 2.58. However, there is a clear upward trajectory: scores dipped severely during the pandemic (2022 saw just 17.5% ELA and 23.7% math) and have climbed each year since, with 2025 showing the highest proficiency rates on record. Grade 3 shows the strongest ELA performance at 46.7%, while Grade 5 leads in math at 46.4%. The gap between grade levels suggests uneven instruction or support across the upper grades.

This is where P.S. 001 genuinely shines. Parent satisfaction clocks in at 95%, parent-teacher trust at 98%, and teacher-principal trust also at 98% — extraordinary numbers that indicate strong, trusting relationships throughout the building. Teachers rate instruction quality at 93% and report feeling safe at 98%. The school has maintained a zero suspension rate for three consecutive years, meaning behavioral issues are being managed without removing students from class. However, the attendance picture is troubling: while the overall attendance rate is 91%, chronic absenteeism is a staggering 63.7%, with female students (67%) and Hispanic students (61.8%) missing the most school days. This disconnect — families love the school but can't get kids there consistently — is worth exploring.

P.S. 001 serves a predominantly Hispanic student body (88%), with small Asian (7%) and White (3%) populations. The diversity index is low at 27%, reflecting the homogeneous makeup of this Sunset Park neighborhood. Nearly one in five students (19%) has an Individualized Education Program, indicating significant special education population. With 85.7% economic need, the school serves families facing substantial financial challenges. Despite these demographics, the community surveys show strong engagement — 347 families responded to the parent survey, a 54% response rate, suggesting active parent involvement.

Sunset Park is a working-class, immigrant-heavy neighborhood in southwestern Brooklyn known for its large Hispanic population and dense residential blocks. The area scores high on family density (74.33 percentile) but lower on safety (42.53) and education orientation (41.76). Environmental health concerns exist here, with an elevated lead rate of 12.1% and higher asthma emergency department visits (104.4 per 10,000). The neighborhood offers access to Sunset Park itself, a real green space, and decent transit connectivity (53.26). However, the safety score and environmental indicators are things parents should factor into their decision-making.

The school is located on a residential block in Sunset Park and is highly walkable for zoned families — most students live within the neighborhood and walk or take short public transit rides. Families from outside the zone would need to travel in, as this is not a citywide choice school.