At a Glance
A neighborhood anchor school with sky-high family trust and math scores that beat the district average, navigating the challenges of a high-poverty community
Best suited for
Families who value strong teacher-principal relationships and a restorative discipline approach over test-score perfection. Parents who can be highly engaged in their child's attendance (given the chronic absenteeism challenge) and who want a school where their child is known and trusted. Works best for families who prioritize math growth and are invested in being partners — the 98% trust scores suggest this school thrives when families are in the loop.
Overall Rating
NY State test proficiency
What stands out
- Math proficiency exceeds the district average — unusual for a high-poverty school
- Zero suspensions for three years running — an exceptionally restorative approach
- 98% parent-teacher and parent-principal trust scores — rare and meaningful
- Grade 4 performs at district-competitive levels (55% ELA, 75% math)
- 94% parent satisfaction with 96% survey response rate — families are engaged, not disengaged
Things to consider
- ELA proficiency (48.5%) trails the district average by 17 percentage points
- Chronic absenteeism at 81.5% is among the highest in the city — families face real barriers to getting kids to school daily
- PTA fundraising is extremely low ($7/student), limiting extracurricular resources
- The overall score (2.32/4) ranks below the district average
- Safety concerns in the broader neighborhood (crime density is high) may weigh on family decisions
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 15
District 15 is competitive, with several schools scoring 90-95 on state metrics. P.S. 169 doesn't compete at that level — its 2.32 overall score sits below the district average of 2.58. However, it outperforms the district in math and has a relationship quality that many higher-scoring schools lack. Among zoned schools serving this population, it holds its own.
Academics
Math is the bright spot here — 67.5% proficiency beats the district average of 63.3%, a rare feat for a school with 90% economic need. ELA at 48.5% trails the district (65.5%) but represents real growth from the 29% it was in 2016. The trajectory has been bumpy: strong gains through 2023, a dip in 2024, then recovery in 2025. Grade 4 performs notably well (55% ELA, 75% math), while Grade 3 lags (38% ELA). The 2.32 overall score is below the district average of 2.58, reflecting the ongoing work to bring reading up to par.
Culture
If you measure a school by how families feel, P.S. 169 is exceptional: 94% parent satisfaction, 98% trust in teachers and principal, and a 96% survey response rate that signals genuine engagement. Teachers report 91% instruction quality and 92% safety. But there's a tension — chronic absenteeism at 81.5% is extraordinary, meaning most students miss significant school time despite the school's warm culture. The discipline data is flawless: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. The day-to-day feel is clearly collaborative and trusting, though the attendance challenge suggests barriers beyond school walls.
Community
The student body is 62% Asian (predominantly Chinese), 34% Hispanic, reflecting the neighborhood's immigrant working-class roots. With 22% IEP students and 89.8% economic need, this is a high-needs population being served by a school that has built extraordinary loyalty — 712 families responded to the survey, a remarkable engagement level. PTA fundraising is minimal ($7/student vs. $491 district average), showing the community gives time and trust, not dollars.
Neighborhood
Sunset Park is a dense, working-class immigrant neighborhood with a family density score of 92.34 — it's literally built for families. The median home value ($1.03M) has soar ed, but median household income ($61K) hasn't kept pace, creating pressure for long-time residents. Transit access (68.2) is solid. Safety (31.03) is a concern, which is why 92% teacher-reported safety at the school is meaningful. There's a sense of community resilience here — families have chosen to stay despite rising costs.
Very walkable neighborhood — families typically walk or take public transit. The area is dense with mixed-use buildings and local businesses.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Historical Trends
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 712 families responded (96% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Economic Need & Special Populations
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Discipline
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 169 Sunset Park a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 169 Sunset Park earns an overall quality score of 58/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run below the District 15 average.
- What grades does P.S. 169 Sunset Park serve?
- P.S. 169 Sunset Park serves grades K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 169 Sunset Park?
- P.S. 169 Sunset Park admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 169 Sunset Park public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 169 Sunset Park is a public school in NYC Community School District 15.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 169 Sunset Park in?
- P.S. 169 Sunset Park is in Sunset Park (Central), Brooklyn.