P.S. 221 Toussaint L'Ouverture

Test scores have been volatile — ELA surged to 63.6% in 2025 (above the district average of 60.5%) after dropping to 25.7% in 2022, while math at 48.2% remains below the district average of 57.3%. Grade 4 outperforms Grade 5 (66.7% vs 57.9% in ELA), suggesting recent initiatives may be helping younger cohorts catch up. The overall quality score of 2.24/4 sits slightly below the district average of 2.36, reflecting inconsistency rather than steady underperformance.

The survey data tells a striking story: families and teachers overwhelmingly trust leadership and report strong relationships (100%). Teacher-reported safety is perfect at 100%, well above the district average of 94.7%. Instruction quality is rated 100% by teachers themselves. However, chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 54.8% — particularly for female students (61.4%) and Black students (61.6%) — and overall attendance at 88.7% falls below the district average. There have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years. The day-to-day feel appears warm and trusting, but chronic absence is a systemic challenge that may be suppressing academic performance.

The student body is 86% Black, 9% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 1% each White and Native American — reflecting the neighborhood's demographics in Crown Heights, where the Black population dominates. With 79.5% economic need and 21% IEP students, the school serves a high-need population. Class sizes average 22, slightly above the district average. The diversity index is low at 30%, meaning the student body is relatively homogeneous — most students share similar backgrounds.

Crown Heights is a transit-rich, family-dense neighborhood with a strong orientation toward education (score 68.2). Median home values top $1.1 million, but the poverty rate sits at 20.3% and homeownership is low at 14.5%. Safety scores are low (13.41 percentile), reflecting concerns parents should factor into their commute decisions. The area offers solid transit options (77.39) and is walkable, with nearby parks and community resources typical of central Brooklyn.

Families report the area is walkable, with strong transit access. However, the low safety score (13.41) suggests parents should consider commute timing and routes, especially for younger children walking alone.