P.S. 052 Sheepshead Bay

Test scores at P.S. 052 sit below the District 22 average — 48.3% ELA versus the district's 61% and 51.8% math versus 60.5% — placing this school in the lower tier of a generally high-performing district. However, the 2025 scores represent meaningful improvement from the pandemic-era low points (2024 saw 38.9% ELA). Grade 3 performs strongest with 54.6% ELA and 62.9% math, suggesting early intervention may be taking hold, while Grade 4 shows the steepest challenges (41.2% ELA, 39.3% math). The school earned a 2/4 overall score, and parents should know that while academic benchmarks lag, there's demonstrable upward momentum.

The culture here is a genuine bright spot. Survey data shows extraordinary family satisfaction (92%) and near-universal trust between parents and teachers (96%), between parents and the principal (96%), and between teachers and leadership (96%). Teachers report 97% instruction quality and 97% safety — numbers that match or exceed district averages. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years. That said, chronic absenteeism is a real issue at 64.3% (well above the district average), particularly concerning among Asian families (74.8%) and white families (68.1%). This suggests the school's warm culture may not be translating into consistent daily attendance for all families.

The student body (711 students) is majority white (52%), with meaningful Asian (18%), Hispanic (14%), and Black (13%) populations. The diversity index of 72% reflects a reasonably mixed community, though the school leans more white than the surrounding neighborhood demographics suggest. Economic need is significant at 73.1% — a higher share of students facing economic hardship than the relatively affluent neighborhood (median income $79,582, 13% poverty) would predict. Sixteen percent of students have IEPs, and class sizes average 23.9 students, essentially matching the district average. PTA fundraising of $147 per student significantly exceeds the district average of $56, indicating active family involvement.

Sheepshead Bay is a waterfront community of modest density, known for its Bay Ridge-adjacent residential character, local restaurants along Emmons Avenue, and access to Manhattan Beach. The neighborhood scores 72.41 for education orientation — families here value schools — and 68.97 for family density, meaning lots of kids in the area. Safety scores 59/100, which is moderate. Transit options are decent (56.7) for getting around Brooklyn, though this is very much a car-oriented area. The neighborhood's 52.8% homeownership rate and 43.3% BA+ education rate suggest a educated, stable community.

Sheepshead Bay is a spread-out neighborhood — many families drive or use local bus routes rather than walk. The school draws from a defined zone, and parents should expect a commute that varies significantly depending on where in the zone they live.