P.S. 214 Michael Friedsam

Test scores at P.S. 214 have climbed meaningfully from earlier years — ELA jumped from 28.5% in 2016 to 50.2% in 2025, and math rose from 24.6% to 52.6% over the same period. Both subjects now sit above the District 19 averages (48.9% ELA, 48.2% math), placing this school in a solid position relative to its peers. The 2025 scores show strong performance especially in fifth-grade ELA (56.4%) and third-grade math (57.9%), though fourth-grade ELA (44.2%) lags slightly behind. The overall 2.06/4 score edges out the district average of 1.94, indicating modest but real academic strength.

The culture here is a genuine bright spot. Parents are overwhelmingly satisfied (94%) and trust both teachers (97%) and the principal (96%) at rates that exceed district averages. Nearly all families (98%) report strong relationships with the school. Teachers rate safety very highly (94%) and collegial trust is solid (86%). However, there are two notes of caution: chronic absenteeism is high at 61.6%, well above what's typical, and teachers' assessment of instruction quality (83%) trails the district average (88%), suggesting some concerns about professional support or resources. Suspension rates are negligible (0%), reflecting a restorative approach to discipline.

With 766 students, P.S. 214 is a mid-sized elementary school. The student body is predominantly Asian (60%), with Hispanic students (25%) and Black students (11%) making up the rest. This demographic mix differs notably from the surrounding East New York neighborhood, which has higher poverty rates (27.2%) and lower educational attainment (only 14.1% with BA+). The school serves a high-need population — 84.6% economic need index — yet outperforms academically. About 14% of students have IEPs, and class sizes average 21.8, identical to the district average. PTA fundraising is modest ($21 per student), slightly above the district average but reflecting a community that gives what it can.

East New York is a working-class Brooklyn neighborhood that has seen investment and change in recent years but still faces challenges. Transit access is solid (69.35 percentile), making commutes manageable, but the safety score (28.35) is low and the stability score (5.75) is among the lowest in the city — meaning many families are transient. The education orientation score (18.39) reflects fewer college-educated households and fewer enrichment resources than in other parts of the city. However, median home values have climbed to $609,331, suggesting some neighborhood upward pressure. Families should know they're entering a community that is economically strained but resilient, with strong roots.

The school is zoned for a defined geographic area, so most families walk or take short bus rides. Transit access is decent for a Brooklyn neighborhood, but families driving from farther afield should expect traffic on major corridors.