P.S. 133 William A. Butler

Test scores at P.S. 133 place it among the stronger performers in District 13, with 71.2% of students meeting proficiency in ELA and 67.4% in math — both substantially above the district averages of 53% and 46% respectively. The school's trajectory shows steady improvement from 2016 to 2023, with a notable dip in 2024 (57.4% ELA, 59.8% Math) before recovering strongly in 2025 to hit its highest ELA mark yet at 71.2%. Grade 4 students are performing at particularly high levels (78% ELA, 83% Math), while Grade 5 shows more modest results (65% ELA, 53% Math), suggesting possible differences in cohort strength or instructional focus across grades.

The survey data paints a picture of a school where relationships are genuinely strong: 96% of families report strong relationships with the school, 94% trust teachers, and 91% trust the principal. Teachers report similarly high collegial trust (95%) and confidence in instructional quality (90%). The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a notable achievement in a system where the district average hovers around 1.4%. However, the chronic absenteeism rate of 69.4% is a serious concern and suggests that while families feel positively about the school culture, getting students to attend consistently remains a challenge. Teacher-reported safety is strong at 95%, though slightly below the district average of 96%.

With 601 students, P.S. 133 is a mid-sized elementary school. The student body is diverse — 37% Hispanic, 26% Black, 26% White, 5% Asian, and 7% multiracial — with a diversity index of 78%. About 16% of students have IEPs, and 45.6% qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school draws from a neighborhood where 82% of adults hold bachelor's degrees and the median home value exceeds $1.6 million, though the school's demographics don't reflect an exclusively affluent population. PTA fundraising of $687 per student is well above the district average of $438, indicating active family financial support.

Park Slope is one of Brooklyn's most sought-after family neighborhoods, ranking in the 97th percentile for family density and 94th for education orientation. The area offers excellent transit access (79th percentile), numerous parks and playgrounds, and a commercial corridor along Fifth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. However, the neighborhood scores poorly on safety (37th percentile), with elevated crime density and collision rates. The community skews highly educated, affluent, and homeowner-heavy (42.6% homeownership), with a poverty rate under 5%.

Park Slope is highly walkable, and most families in this dense, tree-lined neighborhood arrive on foot. The school is accessible via multiple subway lines (the R, Q, B, and 2/3 trains are nearby) and several bus routes. Street parking can be challenging during school hours.