At a Glance
A high-performing zoned elementary in Bay Ridge where strong academics meet genuine community feel — and families invest heavily in their kids' school
Families who want a high-performing, above-average academic experience in a tight-knit zoned neighborhood — particularly those who value strong parent-teacher relationships, safety, and community involvement. Works well for families who prioritize academic performance over diversity, and those who can navigate Bay Ridge's competitive housing market.
- Exceptional teacher trust and satisfaction — 96% rate instruction quality high, 94% trust the principal
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years with 100% teacher-reported safety
- PTA fundraising of $336 per student — more than 5x the district average — indicating strong parent investment
- Strong academic performance consistently above district averages in both ELA and math
- Very high survey response rates (81% family, 42 teachers) suggesting genuine community engagement
- Chronic absenteeism is high at 82.7% — families should be prepared for attendance-related outreach or support
- Less diverse student body than many Brooklyn schools — families seeking highly diverse settings may look elsewhere
- Zoned school — only serves students in its geographic boundary, no choice for out-of-area families
- Test scores dipped slightly in 2024 before recovering in 2025 — some year-to-year volatility
- Home values in Bay Ridge are high ($912K median), which affects the neighborhood's economic makeup
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 20
P.S. 185 scores strongly against its District 20 peers — its 3.21 overall score places it near the top tier, though peer school Christa McAuliffe (I.S. 187) edges ahead with a 94/100 rating. This school outperforms the district average on every academic metric and shows dramatically stronger parent investment (PTA fundraising 5x the district average). It stands as one of the stronger elementary options in a district with otherwise mixed results.
Test scores here are solidly above average — 79.5% ELA and 81.1% math put this school roughly 13 points ahead of the district on reading and 10 points ahead on math. The 3.21 overall score (out of 4) also beats the district average of 2.75. Looking at the longer trend, scores have climbed meaningfully since 2016, though there's been some year-to-year fluctuation — a dip in 2024 followed by a strong rebound in 2025. Third graders show particularly strong math performance (87.1%), while fifth graders lead in reading (84.3%).
The climate data tells a compelling story: teachers love working here (96% rate instruction quality as high, 94% trust the principal), families feel heard (93% parent satisfaction, 97% parent-teacher trust), and safety is essentially a non-issue (100% teacher-reported safety, zero suspensions for three consecutive years). The 81% family survey response rate suggests strong parental buy-in. The only soft spot is chronic absenteeism at 82.7% — notably high, though attendance itself sits at 93.7%, just shy of the district average. This suggests most families show up regularly, but a meaningful chunk struggle with consistent attendance.
The student body is predominantly white (63%) with substantial Hispanic representation (22%) and smaller Asian (10%) and Black (2%) populations. This is less diverse than the district average but aligns with Bay Ridge's demographics. The diversity index of 59% reflects this relatively homogeneous makeup. With 19% IEP students and an economic need index of 45.6%, there's a mix of backgrounds and learning needs represented — though the community skews more affluent than many Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Bay Ridge is a quintessential family neighborhood — high family density (79th percentile), strong education orientation (75th percentile), and median household income near $89K. It's transit-accessible (79th percentile) but shows lower stability (24th percentile) and modest safety scores (44/100). The area offers parks, good food options, and a residential feel that keeps families rooted. Home values are high (median $912K), reflecting the neighborhood's desirability.
Bay Ridge is walkable and family-friendly — many families walk or drive short distances, and the neighborhood's layout encourages neighborhood-level commutes. Parking can be competitive near the school.
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
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 465 families responded (81% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock earns an overall quality score of 80/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 20 average.
- What grades does P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock serve?
- P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock serves grades K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock?
- P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock is a public school in NYC Community School District 20.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock in?
- P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock is in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
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