P.S. 189 The Bilingual Center

Test scores at P.S. 189 sit below the District 17 average — 53.5% ELA versus 60.5% districtwide, and 51.3% Math versus 57.3% districtwide — placing the school in the lower tier of Brooklyn's District 17. The school's overall score of 2.1/4 also falls below the district average of 2.36. Looking at the trend, ELA peaked at 58.9% in 2018 but has fluctuated, settling at 53.5% in 2025. Math has been more volatile — dropping to 38.1% in 2022 during post-pandemic disruptions before recovering to 51.3% in 2025. Grade-level data shows stronger performance in younger grades (Grade 3 at 68.8% Math) and Grade 7 (61.8% ELA, 61.9% Math), with a notable dip in Grade 5 Math (26.2%). Students here are performing below their district peers, though the school offers accelerated and honors coursework for those seeking challenge.

Here's where P.S. 189 tells a different story than test scores suggest: survey data shows exceptionally high trust and satisfaction. Parents rate satisfaction at 90%, and parent-teacher and parent-principal trust both hit 95%. Teachers report 95% instruction quality and 98% trust in leadership — nearly universal. Teacher-reported safety is 91%, slightly below the district average of 94.7% but still strong. The discipline record is remarkable: zero suspensions in 2023-24, down from 9 the prior year and 4 the year before that — a school that has effectively eliminated exclusionary discipline. The catch: attendance is a serious issue. The 90.1% attendance rate is below district average (91%), and chronic absenteeism sits at a striking 61.7% — meaning most students are missing significant school time. This is notably higher than district averages and represents the school's biggest challenge. The day-to-day feel appears collaborative and trusting, but chronic absence undermines what the school is building.

P.S. 189 serves 899 students, predominantly Black (69%) and Hispanic (23%), with small Asian and White populations (3% each). The school reflects the neighborhood's demographics: East Flatbush-Remsen Village is a working- and middle-class Black and Caribbean-American community. With an economic need index of 81.8% — meaning most families qualify for free or reduced lunch — this is a high-need school serving families facing financial challenges. Sixteen percent of students have IEPs. The diversity index is 49%, moderate for the area. PTA fundraising is modest at $10 per student ($8,883 total), well below the district average of $44 per student, suggesting families have limited discretionary income for school contributions.

East Flatbush-Remsen Village is a densely populated Brooklyn neighborhood with strong public transit connections (80.84 transit score) but limited family-oriented amenities (family density score: 39.08). The area scores very low on safety (14.18) and has elevated environmental health concerns, including a lead-elevated rate of 22.1% and above-average asthma rates. Median household income is $57,611 with an 18.9% poverty rate, and homeownership is low at 23.5%. Only 22.1% of residents have a BA+ education. The neighborhood is primarily working-class to middle-class, with many families raising children in rental housing. Families should know: the area has good subway access but feels urban and carries typical city safety considerations.

The school is located on East New York Avenue, a major thoroughfare with good transit access. Families from the zoned catchment can walk or take local buses; those coming from outside the zone likely rely on the subway or bus lines that connect to this area.