P.S. 120 Carlos Tapia

Test scores at P.S. 120 have climbed meaningfully from their pandemic trough — ELA rose from 19.4% in 2022 to 46.3% now, and math jumped from 15.2% to 49.6%. That's real growth, but the school still sits below the district average of 62% in ELA and 59% in math. The grade-level breakdown shows interesting patterns: third graders are performing strongest in math (69.2%) while fifth graders lead in ELA (57.1%), suggesting earlier grades are responding well to current instruction. Fourth grade appears to be a pocket of concern, with both subjects lagging. The overall quality score of 1.92 out of 4 places the school in the lower tier of District 14, which averages 2.44. Families should know the trajectory is positive but the finish line is still ahead.

The survey data here is remarkable. Parents report 97% trust in teachers and 99% trust in the principal — almost unheard of numbers. Teachers echo that confidence at 99% trust in leadership and 91% collegial trust among themselves. Instruction quality rates at 92%, matching the district average, and teachers feel extremely safe (99%). The attendance picture is trickier: 89% daily attendance matches the district average, but chronic absenteeism is a steep 57.7% — meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time, with Hispanic families (61.6%) and females (60.9%) particularly affected. There have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years. The culture feels genuinely warm and relational — this is a school where people stay, trust each other, and prioritize relationships, though getting kids through the door consistently remains a challenge.

With 332 students in grades PK-5, P.S. 120 is a small-to-medium neighborhood school. The demographics are heavily Hispanic (71%) with significant Black enrollment (21%), reflecting Bushwick's changing composition. The diversity index of 47% is moderate, and 86.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — this is a school serving families with significant economic need. Eighteen percent have IEPs, matching the higher-needs population. PTA fundraising is minimal at $5 per student ($1,788 total), far below the district average of $123 per student, suggesting either less fundraising capacity or different priorities. This is a working-class community where families are invested in their school but may not have extra resources for extensive programs.

Bushwick is a dense, transit-rich neighborhood in northern Brooklyn with a reputation for gentrification, excellent Puerto Rican and Dominican food scenes, and real safety concerns. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (17.62 percentile) with high crime density and elevated rates of childhood asthma and lead exposure — environmental factors families should consider. However, it scores very highly on transit (84.29) making commutes easy, and family density is high (72.41), meaning lots of kids in the neighborhood. Homeownership is just 11.1%, meaning most families rent, and the poverty rate sits at 20.4%. There are parks and community resources, but the area has faced longstanding disinvestment. Families appreciate the cultural richness and connectivity; those new to the neighborhood should visit to gauge comfort with the block-level environment.

Bushwick is highly walkable with excellent subway access — families can easily walk or take the train. However, the area has safety concerns, so parents should plan their routes and supervise younger children, especially after dark.