P.S. 164 Caesar Rodney

Test scores at P.S. 164 put it above the District 20 average in both subjects — 70.2% ELA versus the district's 66.2% and 79.2% math versus 71.2%. That's meaningful, but what's more striking is the trajectory: from 2016 when only 39% of students were proficient in ELA, the school has nearly doubled that number. Math shows a similar climb, from 40% to nearly 80%. The 2025 scores represent a notable jump from the dip in 2022-2023, suggesting the post-pandemic recovery has taken hold. Grade-level data shows consistency across 3rd through 5th grade, with 5th graders leading at 81.3% math proficiency.

The survey data tells a story of a school where relationships work. Parent satisfaction sits at 94%, and the trust numbers are even higher — 96% between parents and teachers, 97% between parents and the principal. Teachers report 100% safety and 96% say instruction quality is strong. These aren't just abstract numbers; they suggest a day-to-day environment where families feel heard and educators feel supported. The discipline record is essentially clean — just one suspension over three years in a school of 556 students. That said, the chronic absenteeism rate of 82.7% is a real tension. It's not a discipline or safety issue; it appears to reflect broader community patterns in a neighborhood where families may have competing priorities or cultural practices around school attendance.

The student body mirrors the neighborhood's demographics closely — 44% Hispanic, 42% Asian, 12% White, reflecting the working-class, immigrant-heavy character of Borough Park. With 86.7% economic need index, this is a school where a majority of families face financial challenges, yet they're engaged enough to drive an 84% family survey response rate and strong PTA participation ($63/student). The diversity index of 60% and nearly equal Asian/Hispanic representation give the school a genuinely mixed community feel.

Borough Park is quintessential family Brooklyn — it's ranked in the 97th percentile for family density, meaning you're surrounded by kids and parents at every turn. The neighborhood scores lower on education orientation (49th percentile) and safety (53rd), which reflects the reality of a dense, working-class area with traffic, some crime, and older housing stock. Transit access is decent (58th percentile) for getting around the city. There's a walkable, neighborhood feel where kids often come to school on their own or with older siblings, and there are parks and local businesses that families use regularly.

Highly walkable neighborhood — many families live within blocks and children often walk or bike to school, though traffic on main avenues is a consideration