P.S. 244 Richard R. Green

P.S. 244 has cracked the code on academic improvement in a community with high economic need (72.2%). The current scores — 74.1% ELA and 84.2% math — place it dramatically above the district averages of 58.4% and 61.4% respectively. The math scores are particularly striking, having jumped a massive 32 percentage points from 2022 to 2025. Grade 3 performance is exceptional (94% ELA, 97% math), suggesting strong early literacy and math instruction is taking hold. The overall 3.17 rating outpaces the district average of 2.39 by a wide margin, making this one of the highest-performing schools in District 18.

The school culture tells a compelling story of trust and safety. Parent-principal trust hits an exceptional 96%, and parent satisfaction sits at 81% — solid though slightly below the district average of 93%, possibly reflecting the attendance challenges. Teacher-reported safety is 94%, and teacher-principal trust is 90%, indicating strong leadership. The discipline record is spotless: zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, chronic absenteeism at 69.4% is a significant concern — higher than the district average — and affects both male and female students fairly equally, though Black students (who make up 86% of the population) miss more school than other groups.

This is a highly homogeneous school: 86% Black students, with small Hispanic (8%), White (3%), Asian (2%), and Multi-Racial (1%) populations. The diversity index of 31% reflects this. The school serves a community with significant economic need — 72.2% of students qualify — and 23% have IEPs. PTA fundraising is minimal at $8 per student (compared to $23 district average), suggesting fewer resources for enrichment from parent fundraising. But the demographic composition closely mirrors the East Flatbush-Rugby neighborhood, which is predominantly Black with moderate homeownership (39%) and median home values around $669K.

East Flatbush-Rugby is a family-dense Brooklyn neighborhood with decent transit access (68th percentile) and moderate family density (61st percentile). However, safety indicators are concerning — the safety score of 29.5 is quite low, and the crime density and collision rates are elevated. The neighborhood has a 13.4% poverty rate and median household income of $71,298, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees. Families should know the area has family resources but also the challenges that come with lower safety scores.

The neighborhood is relatively walkable, and the area around Tilden Avenue is residential with typical Brooklyn infrastructure. Families in the zone walk or take public transit; the transit score suggests reliable bus and subway access.