P.S. 124 Silas B. Dutcher

Test scores at P.S. 124 have declined sharply from their 2022 peak (ELA 49.5%, Math 47%) to their current levels (ELA 35%, Math 29.1%), placing the school well below the District 15 averages of 65.5% in ELA and 63.3% in math. The school received an overall score of 1.28 out of 4, compared to the district average of 2.58. Performance improves as students progress through grades — Grade 5 students outperform younger grades in both subjects, with 40.6% proficiency in ELA and 39.4% in math — suggesting some academic growth happens during a student's years here, though from a low baseline.

The school reports exceptional trust and relationship metrics: 95% of parents report satisfaction, 95% trust teachers, and 92% rate instruction quality as strong. Teachers report 99% safety and 87% trust in leadership. Discipline data shows zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a notable achievement. However, the attendance picture is concerning: an 87% attendance rate and 43.5% chronic absenteeism rate (with Hispanic students at 45% and white students at 87% absenteeism) suggest that while families feel positively about the school culture, many are not consistently sending their children.

The school serves 303 students with a diverse makeup: 52% Hispanic, 18% White, 16% Black, 10% Asian, and 4% Multi-Racial, yielding a diversity index of 72%. With 26% IEP students and an economic need index of 70, the student body reflects a moderate-to-high needs population. This contrasts notably with the surrounding Park Slope neighborhood, which has a median household income of $191,270, an 82.4% college-educated population, and only 4.9% poverty rate — suggesting the school draws from a broader economic cross-section than the affluent surrounding neighborhood.

Park Slope is a highly desirable Brooklyn neighborhood known for its family orientation (97 percentile), education focus (94 percentile), and strong transit access (79 percentile). The area offers abundant parks, cultural institutions, and family-friendly resources. However, safety indicators show concerns: elevated crime density, collision rates, and asthma rates suggest environmental health challenges. The neighborhood's stability score is low (23 percentile), reflecting its dynamic, transient character despite being family-focused.

Park Slope is highly walkable with excellent access to public transit via multiple subway lines. Families in the zone can easily walk or bike to school, though traffic and collision rates in the area warrant caution with young children.