P.S. 262 El Hajj Malik El Shabazz Elementary School

P.S. 262 has gone from district underperformer to top performer in just a few years. In 2016, only 26% of students were proficient in ELA and 13% in math — by 2025, those numbers have flipped to 80% and 81% respectively. This places the school significantly above both the district averages (57.6% ELA, 57% math) and the peer school averages in District 16. Grade 4 scores are particularly strong (77.8% ELA, 83.3% math), while Grade 5 shows solid performance though with a steeper math drop-off (60%). The overall 3.23/4 score dwarfs the district average of 2.29.

The survey data tells a remarkable story: 97% parent satisfaction, 99% parent-teacher trust, and 99% parent-principal trust — these numbers are exceptional and suggest families feel genuinely heard and valued. Teachers report 98% instruction quality and 100% safety, both well above district averages. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years, a stark contrast to the 1% district average. However, chronic absenteeism is high at 58.1%, affecting both genders nearly equally and hitting Black students hardest (61.3% vs. 31.6% for Hispanic students).

With 162 students across grades PK-5, this is a small school where 72% of students are Black, reflecting the neighborhood demographics. Hispanic students make up 17%, white students 7%, and the school has near-parity enrollment by gender. The diversity index sits at 50%, and 14% of students have IEPs. The economic need index of 82.2% indicates most families face significant financial challenges.

Bedford-Stuyvesant is a historically Black neighborhood in Brooklyn with strong family density (87th percentile) and education orientation (69th percentile), though safety scores are low (22.61). Transit access is excellent (95th percentile), making car-free commuting feasible. The median home value of $1.18 million reflects the neighborhood's changing character, while the 23% poverty rate and $70,755 median income show economic diversity. Families with children represent only 11.9% of households, making this a neighborhood where schools are community anchors.

Strong transit access (95th percentile) means many families can rely on public transportation. The neighborhood is walkable, though the low safety score suggests families may be attentive about routes and timing.