P.S. 109

Test scores at P.S. 109 have shown remarkable improvement over the past nine years — ELA climbed from 27% to 58% and math from 15% to 47%, with the biggest single-year math jump happening between 2024 and 2025 (42% to 47%). However, both ELA (58.3%) and math (46.6%) still fall below the district averages of 61% and 60%, placing the school below the typical District 22 performance. Science proficiency at 21.4% is notably low, and the overall quality score of 2.1/4 trails the district average of 2.43. Seventh graders perform strongest (77% ELA, 63% math), while younger grades show more mixed results.

The survey data tells a complicated story: families absolutely love this school — 95% satisfaction, 96% trust in the principal, and 100% report strong relationships with teachers. But teachers tell a different story. Only 80% feel safe at work (compared to 96% district-wide), and collegial trust among staff sits at 76%. Chronic absenteeism is a serious issue at 56%, with Black students missing at a 68% rate. The suspension count jumped from 1 in 2022-23 to 10 in 2023-24, a trend that warrants attention. The day-to-day feel seems to be one where families are genuinely welcomed and respected, but where staff may be dealing with underlying tensions or challenges not fully captured in family surveys.

This is a predominantly Black school (77%) serving a neighborhood that fits that profile — East Flatbush has a strong Caribbean-American identity, with high homeownership (48%) and a median household income around $76K. The school is small at 476 students, with 30% having IEPs and a high economic need index of 76%. Only 4% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 2% white. The diversity index of 45% reflects a relatively homogeneous student body, which may matter to families seeking more diverse environments.

East Flatbush-Farragut is a densely populated, historically Caribbean neighborhood in central Brooklyn with strong community ties and a family-oriented feel. The area scores low on safety (34/100) with elevated crime density, though it's also a neighborhood where many families have deep roots. Transit access is moderate (56/100), and the education orientation score of 62 suggests this is a place where families take schooling seriously. The area has several parks and is well-connected to the rest of Brooklyn by bus and rail.

Most students walk or take short bus rides as this is a zoned neighborhood school — families in the catchment area typically walk, while those farther out may drive or use local bus routes.