P.S. 029 John M. Harrigan

The test scores at P.S. 029 are frankly remarkable — 91.5% ELA and 90.4% math proficiency put this school in the top tier of the entire city. When you consider that District 15 averages around 65% ELA and 63% math, the gap is striking. Looking at the trajectory, scores climbed steadily from 2016 through 2023, dipped slightly in 2024 (ELA to 83.8%, Math to 86.8%), then rebounded strongly in 2025 to reach all-time highs. Grade-level data shows consistent strength across Grades 3-5, with third-graders leading at 93.8% ELA. The school earns a 3.64 overall rating against a district average of just 2.58 — a full point above its peers.

If the academics are exceptional, the culture and climate numbers are off the charts. Teacher-reported safety sits at 100% — a rare perfect score that speaks to a stable, orderly environment. Trust metrics are almost uniformly above 97%: 98% parent-teacher trust, 99% parent-principal trust, 99% teacher-principal trust, and 97% teacher collegial trust. Parent satisfaction runs at 94%, and an impressive 93% of families responded to the survey. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a discipline record that's nearly unheard of in elementary schools. Strong relationships scored 97%, suggesting the community bonds here run deep. Attendance at 95.8% also runs slightly above the district average.

With 727 students across pre-K through 5th grade, P.S. 029 serves a predominantly White student body at 72%, with 11% Hispanic, 9% Multiracial, 6% Asian, and 2% Black students. The diversity index of 53% is moderate. Perhaps most striking is the economic profile: with only 10.6% economic need index, this is one of the least economically disadvantaged schools in the city. The IEP population sits at 15%, indicating some special education services. The PTA raised over $3 million last year — that's $4,213 per student, compared to a district average of just $491. This is an extraordinarily well-resourced community.

The Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook area is a family magnet — 85.82 family density percentile and 87.36 education orientation score tell you everything about the priorities here. Median household income sits at $139,897, and median home values reach $1.7 million, making this one of Brooklyn's most affluent enclaves. The area scores solidly on safety (50.57 percentile), though transit access is moderate (41.76 percentile). Families with children make up 20.8% of households, and 67.6% of residents hold BA+ degrees. There are parks, family-oriented restaurants, and the neighborhood has a village-like feel that's appealing to parents with young children.

The neighborhood is highly walkable, with tree-lined streets and good infrastructure for strollers and young children. Many families walk or bike to school, and the area's pedestrian-friendly design supports this.