P.S. 081 Thaddeus Stevens

Test scores here sit well below the District 16 average — 24.6% ELA and 22.6% Math versus the district's 58% and 57% respectively. But the more telling story is the volatility: scores jumped to 31% in 2023 (both subjects) after years in the teens and low 20s, then plummeted to 11% ELA in 2024 before recovering somewhat in 2025. This pattern suggests the school has struggled to find consistent academic footing, possibly due to leadership instability. Third graders are performing notably stronger (50% Math) than older grades, which may indicate younger cohorts are receiving stronger instruction — or that older students arrived with greater learning gaps. The overall quality score of 0.94/4 reflects these challenges.

The climate data presents a mixed picture. On the positive side, families report solid satisfaction (82%), strong relationships with teachers (73%), and reasonable trust in both teachers and the principal. Teacher-reported safety is decent at 86%, and teacher collegial trust is high at 85%. However, there's a sharp disconnect in teacher-principal trust, which sits at just 46% — significantly below district norms. This leadership trust gap is notable and may explain some of the academic volatility. Attendance (87.5%) is slightly below the district average, and chronic absenteeism is striking at 50%, suggesting many families struggle with consistent school engagement. Suspensions increased from zero to three in the most recent year, a small but notable shift from prior years.

With 241 students, this is a small school where most faces are familiar. The student body is predominantly Black (58%) and Hispanic (34%), with very few White, Asian, or Multi-Racial students. A quarter of students (26%) have IEPs — higher than many peer schools — and nearly all students (92%) qualify for free lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the families served. The diversity index of 55% is moderate, though the school is less diverse than the neighborhood's 40.8% college-educated population might suggest.

Bedford-Stuyvesant is one of Brooklyn's most transit-connected and family-dense neighborhoods, with a strong community identity and growing real estate values despite a 23% poverty rate. The neighborhood scores very high on transit (95) and family density (87), but low on safety (23) and health environment (23). Families live in a area where walking to school is common, though parents are aware of the safety considerations that come with the territory. The median home value ($1.18M) reflects the neighborhood's rapid changes, while the lower homeownership rate (27%) indicates many families rent.

Most families walk or use public transit — the neighborhood's transit score of 95 means subways and buses are readily accessible. Walking is practical but parents factor in neighborhood safety awareness.