P.S. 137 Rachel Jean Mitchell

Math scores at P.S. 137 have nearly quintupled over nine years (12% in 2016 to 54% in 2025), putting the school slightly above the district average of 50.5%. ELA proficiency at 41% runs about 12 points below the district average of 52%, though this represents improvement from the post-pandemic low of 24% in 2022. The overall quality score of 1.89/4 places the school below the district average of 2.06, reflecting the ongoing gap in reading performance. Grade 5 math scores (53.3%) indicate strong upper-grade performance that may be driving the overall math gains.

The climate data tells a nuanced story. Families feel deeply connected to leadership — 94% of parents trust both teachers and the principal, and 88% report strong relationships at the school. However, chronic absenteeism at 53% is striking (the district average is much lower), suggesting that engagement drops off once students are enrolled. Teacher-reported instruction quality (56%) falls well below the district average of 89%, which is a real concern — families may love the leadership, but teachers may be struggling with resources, support, or working conditions. The school has had zero suspensions for two years running, which is a positive marker for discipline climate.

Nearly two-thirds of students (66%) are Black, with 21% Hispanic, 8% White, and small populations of Multi-Racial and Native American students. With an economic need index of 82.4%, this is a high-poverty school serving a community where median household income is $57,870 and 26.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The diversity index of 55% reflects a moderately diverse student body, though the school is less diverse than the district overall. Nineteen percent of students have IEPs, indicating substantial special education support needs.

Ocean Hill is a transit-rich but safety-concerning neighborhood in eastern Brooklyn. Families benefit from excellent public transit access (score: 83) and moderate family density (66), but the safety score of 15 out of 100 is among the lowest in the city — crime density and lead exposure rates are elevated, and the asthma emergency department rate (104 per 10,000) is a health concern. Homeownership is low at 21%, and only 24% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, indicating a working-class community navigating real resource constraints.

The neighborhood is walkable with moderate street activity. Families living in Ocean Hill or nearby Brownsville can likely walk or take short bus rides. Those coming from farther afield will likely rely on the strong transit options — the area is well-served by subway lines connecting to the rest of Brooklyn and Manhattan.