P.S. 156 Waverly

P.S. 156 has nearly tripled its ELA proficiency (from 17.1% in 2016 to 44.8% in 2025) and almost tripled its math proficiency (from 17.7% to 51.9%) over nine years — a remarkable upward trajectory. Math proficiency at 51.9% now sits just above the district average of 50.5%, while ELA at 44.8% remains below the district average of 52.2%. Grade 3 math leads the way at 62.7% proficiency, with ELA scores climbing steadily through the upper grades (47.1% in grade 5). The overall score of 1.93/4 is slightly below the district average of 2.06, but the year-over-year gains are the real headline here.

The day-to-day feel at P.S. 156 leans warm and connected. Parent-principal trust sits at 92% and parent-teacher trust at 93%, both notably high, and 100% of surveyed families reported strong relationships with the school. Teacher-reported safety is 92%, above the district average of 90.5%, and the suspension rate is low at 1% (compared to a district average of 1.6%). Discipline has ticked up slightly over three years — from zero suspensions in 2021-22 to two in 2023-24 — but remains minimal. The big asterisk is chronic absenteeism at 56.4%, meaning more than half of students miss 10% or more of school days; attendance rate overall (89.6%) is actually slightly above the district average, but the chronic absence figure is a real challenge. Note that only 9 teachers responded to the climate survey, so the staff-side numbers should be read with some caution.

P.S. 156's enrollment of 466 students is overwhelmingly Black (74%) and Hispanic (23%), mirroring the surrounding Brownsville neighborhood. The economic need index of 90.1% indicates almost all students come from low-income households, consistent with the neighborhood's 37.6% poverty rate. Twenty percent of students have IEPs, reflecting significant special education needs. The diversity index of 40% indicates the student body is not very racially varied, but the school community is tight-knit — PTA fundraising of $38 per student is more than three times the district average of $11, suggesting engaged families despite modest incomes.

Brownsville is one of Brooklyn's lowest-income neighborhoods, where median household income is around $33,500 and more than a third of residents live in poverty. About 8% of households include children, and the homeownership rate is just 14%, meaning most families rent. The median home value of roughly $482,000 sits in contrast to local incomes, reflecting the broader Brooklyn market. Only 13% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree, underscoring the importance of schools like P.S. 156 as pathways upward.

Families can reach P.S. 156 via the 3 train at Saratoga Avenue or Sutter Avenue-Rutland Road, each about a 6-minute walk, with Rockaway Avenue (also on the 3 line) roughly 11 minutes away