P.S. 213 New Lots

Math performance is the standout story here — at 54.8%, it actually exceeds the district average of 48.2%, a remarkable turnaround from the single-digit scores of 2022. ELA at 32.4% still trails the district average of 48.9%, but has also more than doubled from its pandemic low. The overall 1.74/4 score sits just below the district average of 1.94, placing this school in the lower tier of District 19. Grade 4 shows particular math strength at 65.4%, while Grade 5 math drops to 40% — suggesting some inconsistency across grades that parents should probe deeper into.

The survey data tells a story of strong relationships but real concerns about safety. Parents report exceptional trust in teachers (96%) and principals (93%), and 94% say the school builds strong relationships. Teacher instruction quality scores high at 93%. However, teacher-reported safety sits at only 77% — significantly below the district average of 92% — and only 15 teachers responded to the survey, making those numbers less reliable. The discipline picture is encouraging: zero suspensions in 2023-24 after 13 the prior year. Chronic absenteeism is high at 48.4%, with female students (55.9%) and Black students (53.8%) missing school most often.

With 236 students across grades PK-5, this is a small school where everyone knows each other. The student body is 70% Black, 17% Hispanic, and 8% Asian — reflecting the demographics of the surrounding East New York neighborhood. Nearly 89% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 17% have IEPs. PTA fundraising is modest at $43 per student (below the district average of $18.50), suggesting limited extra fundraising capacity among families facing economic hardship.

East New York is a transit-connected Brooklyn neighborhood with a 69% score on transit access, making it manageable for commuters. The family density score of 64% reflects many households with children. However, safety scores are low at 31%, and the education orientation score of 38% suggests this isn't a neighborhood where schools are a primary focus. The poverty rate of 22.6% and BA+ education rate of only 16% shape the community context. Median home values around $605,000 indicate the neighborhood is gentrifying, but median household income of $58,000 shows most families are working-class.

The school is in a residential area of East New York; families from the zoned catchment walk or take short bus rides. The area is walkable but families should be aware of the neighborhood's safety context when commuting.