P.S. 139 Alexine A. Fenty

Test scores here have nearly doubled since 2016 — ELA climbed from 36% to 59% and math from 32% to 56% — a trajectory that shows real instructional improvement over time. However, current proficiency rates sit just below the district average (60.99% ELA, 60.46% math), meaning students are catching up but not yet leading the pack. Grade 4 performs strongest (63.7% ELA, 65.6% math), while Grade 5 math lags at 47.3%. The overall quality score of 2.31 out of 4 reflects a solid but not exceptional academic program — your child will get a decent foundation, but you may need to supplement at home.

The climate picture is nuanced. Parents love this school — 92% satisfaction and 95% trust in teachers are both above district averages, and every parent surveyed reported strong relationships with staff. Teacher-reported safety (88%) and instruction quality (77%) both fall below district norms, and notably, teacher-principal trust sits at only 62%, suggesting some tension between staff and leadership. Attendance is slightly above district average at 92.5%, but the chronic absenteeism rate is striking at 75% — that's unusually high and worth understanding before enrolling. On the positive side, discipline is excellent: zero suspensions for two of the past three years.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (42%) with significant Black (20%), White (17%), and Asian (15%) populations, giving the school a diverse makeup that reflects the neighborhood's mixed character. With an 83% diversity index and 68.4% economic need, this is a working-class school serving families with real financial challenges. IEP students make up 17% of enrollment. The PTA raised an impressive $180,000 this year — that's $235 per student, far above the district average of $56 — indicating active parent involvement.

The Flatbush-Ditmas Park-Parkville area is one of Brooklyn's most family-dense neighborhoods (80.84 percentile), with a strong education orientation (75.86). Median household income is $87,000, and homeownership sits at 34% — a mix of long-term owners and renters. The safety score is low (29.89), which parents should factor in, though the area is walkable and well-served by transit (66.28). The neighborhood has a reputation for community gatherings and local parks.

Families generally walk to this zoned school, given the neighborhood's pedestrian-friendly blocks and the school's central location. Transit options are available for those coming from further afield.