P.S. 238 Anne Sullivan

Test scores remain below the District 21 average — ELA at 48% versus the district's 60%, and math at 36.7% versus 63% — but the trajectory is notable. Scores have roughly doubled since 2016, and the most recent jump from 2024 to 2025 was substantial (ELA up 18 points, math up 10 points). There's significant variation across grade levels: 8th graders show strong ELA performance at 60.7% but a puzzling math drop to just 5%, while 3rd graders demonstrate strong foundations with 65.1% math proficiency. The overall score of 1.69/4 reflects the gap to district norms, though the trend line suggests real academic momentum.

The day-to-day climate tells a more encouraging story than the test scores might suggest. Teachers report 100% safety and 100% strong relationships — exceptionally strong marks. Parent satisfaction sits at 86%, with trust metrics showing 89% parent-teacher trust and 82% parent-principal trust. Teacher instruction quality rates 91%, nearly matching the district average. However, chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 57.2% — well above typical rates — which likely impacts academic outcomes. Discipline is minimal, with only a 1% suspension rate and 7 total suspensions, showing a stable pattern over three years. The disconnect between strong relational climate and poor attendance suggests the school has built trust with families who engage, but may struggle to reach those who don't.

The student body is majority Hispanic (47%), with significant White (29%) and Asian (22%) representation. The diversity index of 65% reflects a mixed community. With 83.9% economic need index and 21% IEP students, the school serves a population with substantial support needs. This mirrors the neighborhood's demographics — moderate-income households with 16.7% poverty and 40.9% BA+ education rate. The school offers only ELL support as a specialized program, with limited enrichment offerings reflected in its low program richness score of 19.3/100.

Gravesend/Homecrest in Brooklyn offers a solid infrastructure for families despite some tradeoffs. The area scores high on family density (81.61 percentile) and education orientation (68.97), meaning families with school-age children are common and education is a community priority. Transit access is average (51.34), and safety scores are below average at 47.13 — something parents should factor in. The median home value of $1.08 million reflects the neighborhood's desirability, though only 36.2% of residents own homes. The area has typical Brooklyn urban challenges — collision rates and air quality (PM2.5) are worth noting — but the strong family community and education focus provide a supportive context.

The neighborhood is walkable with typical Brooklyn street grid layout, though parents should consider the below-average safety scores when planning routes, particularly for younger children walking alone