P.S. 131 Brooklyn

P.S. 131's ELA proficiency of 57% and math proficiency of 59.8% place it below the District 15 averages of 65.5% and 63.3% respectively. However, the school has made substantial progress — ELA has risen from 42.6% in 2016 to 57% in 2025, and math jumped from 43.8% to 59.8% over the same period, with a notable surge to 62.7% in 2024 before settling. Grade 5 students perform significantly above school-wide averages at 67.1% ELA and 69.8% math, suggesting stronger outcomes as students progress through the grades. The overall score of 2.34 out of 4 trails the district average of 2.58, indicating this school is performing below typical District 15 elementary schools.

The attendance rate of 93.9% sits just above the district average, but chronic absenteeism at a striking 80.5% raises serious concerns about consistent student engagement — nearly all students miss significant school time. On the positive side, family survey results are outstanding: 95% of parents report satisfaction, 97% trust teachers, and 100% say the school fosters strong relationships. Teacher instruction quality scores 85%, slightly below the district average of 89%. However, teacher-principal trust is notably low at 60%, and teacher-reported safety at 87% falls well below the district average of 97%. Zero suspensions over three years is a significant achievement, suggesting effective behavioral approaches.

With 652 students, P.S. 131 serves a predominantly Hispanic community (54%) alongside a substantial Asian population (37%). Only 6% of students are white, 2% Black, and 1% Native American. The diversity index of 55% reflects moderate diversity within the school. An economic need index of 87.1% indicates that nearly 9 in 10 students come from economically disadvantaged households, far exceeding typical district averages. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, suggesting significant special education support needs.

Borough Park is a family-heavy neighborhood (97th percentile for family density) with a median household income of $52,529 and a 32.8% poverty rate. Only 20.5% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and homeownership is low at 29.1%. The area scores poorly on stability and health environment metrics, though transit access is moderate. The median home value of $1.16 million reflects Brooklyn's overall housing costs despite the neighborhood's working-class character. Families should expect a densely populated, immigrant-rich community with strong cultural ties.

The school is located on Ft Hamilton Parkway in a walkable, transit-accessible neighborhood. Most students live within the zoned area and walk to school, though traffic around the area can be busy during drop-off and pickup times.