P.S. 241 Emma L. Johnston

Test scores at P.S. 241 place it solidly above the District 17 average — ELA proficiency of 71.9% beats the district average of 60.5% by over 11 points, and math at 72.3% outperforms the 57.3% district average by 15 points. The school's 2.88 overall score (on a 4-point scale) also exceeds the district average of 2.36. But the most compelling story is the trajectory: scores dipped significantly during the pandemic (2022 saw just 48% ELA and 41.2% math), then rebounded sharply in 2023 to 72.8% ELA and 64.7% math — a dramatic jump that has largely held. Grade-level data shows stronger performance in earlier grades (Grade 3 math at 85.7%) with some expected softening in Grade 5 (math at 59.3%), suggesting the school may need to sustain gains through the upper elementary years.

The survey data paints a picture of exceptional school culture — teacher instruction quality scores 98% compared to a district average of 89.1%, and parent satisfaction at 94% exceeds the 91% district average. Trust metrics are remarkably high: 98% of parents trust teachers, 98% trust the principal, and 94% of teachers trust the principal. Safety is rated at 96% by teachers, slightly above the district average of 94.7%. The discipline record is spotless — zero suspensions in the past school year, matching a three-year trend of near-zero exclusionary discipline. That said, chronic absenteeism at 72.5% is notably high, with female students (75.2%) and Black students (72.3%) disproportionately affected. This suggests that while families trust the school and are satisfied when their children attend, getting students to school consistently remains a challenge — possibly reflecting broader socioeconomic factors in the neighborhood.

P.S. 241 serves 384 students in a school that mirrors its Crown Heights neighborhood in demographic composition — 76% of students are Black compared to an area where Black residents remain the largest demographic group despite decades of neighborhood change. The student body is 10% Hispanic, 8% White, and includes small Asian (1%) and multi-racial (4%) populations. The diversity index of 47% is moderate, though the school is far less economically diverse given that 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch (reflected in the economic need index of 76). Nine percent of students have IEPs, which is typical for an elementary school. The community is tight — family survey response rate of 55% with 194 responses indicates strong parent engagement, and the school clearly serves as a neighborhood anchor for families who value its zoned, no-gatekeeping-access approach.

Crown Heights (South) is a densely populated, transit-rich Brooklyn neighborhood with a family density score of 78.54 (very high) but a safety score of just 13.41 (low). The area has median home values of $1.18 million but only 14.5% homeownership — meaning most families rent, which contributes to housing instability. The median household income of $70,304 with a 20.3% poverty rate reflects the economic pressures many families face. On the positive side, transit access scores 77.39, making commutes manageable for working parents. The neighborhood has seen significant demographic shifts over decades, and while it has safety concerns (reflected in the crime density indicator of 3,546), it offers the kind of community fabric that keeps families rooted — particularly those with children, who make up 13.9% of households.

Given the neighborhood's high family density and strong transit score, most families walk or take public transportation. The area is pedestrian-heavy, though parents should note the low safety score means routes should be planned with attention to traffic and neighborhood conditions.