P.S. 018 Edward Bush

Test scores at P.S. 018 have been on a volatile trajectory. The school dropped to just 14.4% ELA and 5.4% math proficiency in 2022 during the pandemic's peak disruption, then climbed to 41.5% ELA and 30.9% math in 2025. That's a significant rebound, but both scores still sit well below the district averages of 62% ELA and 59% math. Grade 3 and Grade 5 students are performing roughly equally in ELA (around 47%), while Grade 5 math lags dramatically at just 10.5% compared to 42% in Grade 3. The overall quality score of 1.45 out of 4 places this school in the lower tier of District 14.

The climate data tells a nuanced story. Parents absolutely love this school—99% trust the principal, 97% trust teachers, and 100% report strong relationships. Teachers give 92% marks for instruction quality and 100% for safety, though their trust in leadership is lower (78% principal trust, 71% collegial trust). The school has zero suspensions, which is notably better than the district average of 0.56%. Attendance is slightly above district average at 89.6%, but chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 60%—meaning a majority of students are missing significant school time.

With 200 students, this is a small school serving a predominantly Hispanic (64%) and Black (23%) population. The economic need index of 78.7% is high, and 29% of students have IEPs. The neighborhood is heavily rental (87.5% renters) with only 12.5% homeownership, and just 9.2% of households have children—making this a transitional, young-adult-heavy area. PTA fundraising is minimal at $36 per student versus the district average of $123, suggesting fewer resources for extracurricular enrichment.

East Williamsburg is a dense, transit-accessible neighborhood with a median home value over $1 million, though the poverty rate sits at 24% and family density is low at 9.2% of households. Safety scores (43.3) are below average, with elevated crime density and air quality concerns (PM2.5 levels and a high asthma emergency department rate of 104 per 10,000). The area has an education orientation score of 64.75, suggesting some family-friendly infrastructure, though it's not the most family-oriented pocket of Brooklyn.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong transit access (score 61.3), making it feasible for families to get to school without a car. However, the below-average safety score and relatively high crime density mean parents should factor in neighborhood conditions when considering walk routes.