P.S. 251 Paerdegat

Test scores at P.S. 251 have improved substantially over the past decade — ELA climbed from 21.9% in 2016 to 40% in 2025, and math rose from 16.4% to 35% over the same period. That's real growth. However, both metrics remain roughly 20 percentage points below the district average (61% ELA, 60% math), placing the school in the lowest tier of District 22. Grade-level data shows Grade 3 performs best in ELA (45.9%) while Grade 5 leads in math (37.8%), but there's no grade-level exceeding the district benchmark. The 1.5/4 overall score reflects this gap.

This is where P.S. 251 surprises. Teacher instruction quality scores 95% (well above the 90% district average), teacher-reported safety is a perfect 100%, and strong relationships between adults and students register at 100%. Parent trust metrics are solid — 93% parent-teacher trust and 91% parent-principal trust. The catch: chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 53.3%, meaning more than half of students miss at least 10% of the school year. This likely explains the attendance rate of 87.9% (below the 91% district average). Discipline is excellent with a near-zero suspension rate. Teachers report lower trust in leadership (82%) compared to families, suggesting some internal tension, but the day-to-day classroom experience appears strong.

The student body is 69% Black, 12% Hispanic, 8% Native American, 5% Asian, and 5% White — with an 8% Native American population notably higher than most Brooklyn schools. Nearly a quarter of students (22%) have IEPs, suggesting robust special education services. The diversity index of 59% reflects moderate demographic variety, but the community is predominantly Black. With only 335 students across pre-K through 5th grade, class sizes are small at about 24 students — on par with the district average. PTA fundraising is minimal at just $3 per student ($1,096 total), far below the district average of $56 per student, indicating less discretionary family income or lower parent organizing capacity.

Flatlands is a residential neighborhood in southeast Brooklyn known for single-family homes, several synagogues, and good transit connections (72 score). The median home value is $668,666 and homeownership is high at 60%, making it stable but relatively affordable for NYC. Family density is high (74th percentile), meaning lots of kids in the area. Safety scores are moderate (52) with elevated crime density and lead exposure rates (12.8% elevated lead rate) that parents should be aware of. There are parks and green spaces, and the area has a suburban feel despite being in the city — families often walk or drive their children to school.

The neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly with mostly residential streets. Many families walk or drive; the good transit score (72) reflects public transit options for commuters, though most elementary students arrive by foot or car.