P.S. 178 Saint Clair Mckelway

The school's overall score of 1.42/4 sits well below the District 23 average of 2.06/4, with ELA proficiency at 38.5% and math at 32.7% — versus district averages of 52% and 51% respectively. But the trajectory tells a more encouraging story: after a pandemic-era trough in 2022 (17% ELA, 5% math), scores have climbed steadily, with 2025 ELA hitting the highest point in the eight-year data window. The grade-level breakdown is dramatic — Grade 3 (58% ELA) and especially Grade 4 (86% ELA, 78% math) soar well above district averages, while middle-school grades 5-8 lag significantly behind.

With only 2 suspensions last year (down from 12 the year prior) and a 1% suspension rate below the district's 1.6%, the school runs a notably calm ship — and families clearly feel the warmth, with 98% reporting trust in the principal and 96% satisfied overall, both above district averages. The day-to-day concern is chronic absenteeism at 52%, meaning more than half of students miss significant school time, even though overall attendance sits at 88%. Teacher-reported safety at 83% trails the district's 90%, worth weighing for families thinking about the daily environment.

The student body is 70% Black and 22% Hispanic, with smaller shares of Asian, White, Multi-racial, and Native American students — a diversity index of 51%. The economic need index of 88.7% reflects a school serving a largely low-income population, with 16% of students on IEPs. Ocean Hill itself has a 27% poverty rate and median household income just under $58,000, so the school's demographics closely mirror the surrounding neighborhood — this is a true community school in every way.

Ocean Hill is a working-class Brooklyn neighborhood where most households rent (only 21% own their homes), median income sits near $58,000, and roughly a quarter of residents hold a bachelor's degree. About 12% of households have children under 18, and the area has a 27% poverty rate — context that shapes both who attends P.S. 178 and the resources the school community can muster. The neighborhood is well-served by transit, making the commute manageable for families from a wider catchment area.

The school is a 6-minute walk from Rockaway Av (C), about 8 minutes from Ralph Av (C), and roughly 12 minutes from Chauncey St (J Z) — solid subway access for an outer-borough school.