P.S. 273 Wortman

Test scores at P.S. 273 Wortman remain below the District 19 average — 36.4% ELA versus 48.9% district-wide, and 28.6% math versus 48.2% district-wide. The school's overall score of 1.3 out of 4 also falls below the district average of 1.9. However, there's a notable bright spot: 5th graders are performing strongest in ELA (44.1%), and teachers report instruction quality at 97% — far above the district average of 88%. The historical trend is volatile rather than steadily improving, with scores fluctuating significantly year to year, suggesting inconsistency in academic outcomes.

The climate data reveals a paradox: despite academic struggles, the school community shows remarkable strength in relationships and trust. Parents report 94% trust in both teachers and the principal, and 93% say they have strong relationships with the school. Teachers report 98% safety — well above the district average of 92% — and 95% collegial trust among staff. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 52%, meaning more than half of students are missing significant school time. The suspension rate is low at 1% (below the 1.6% district average), with only 2 suspensions last year, suggesting a relatively positive discipline environment.

With 310 students, P.S. 273 Wortman is a small-to-medium elementary school. The student body is 68% Black, 29% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% white — reflecting the demographics of East New York, which is predominantly Black and Hispanic. Economic need is very high at 85.6%, and 23% of students have IEPs, suggesting significant special education needs. The diversity index of 41% indicates moderate demographic diversity within the school.

East New York is a neighborhood in eastern Brooklyn characterized by high economic need, low homeownership (29%), and limited college-educated residents (16% with BA or higher). The median household income is $58,087 with a 22.6% poverty rate. Transit access is relatively strong (68th percentile), but safety scores are low (31st percentile), and the neighborhood has elevated environmental health concerns including asthma rates and lead exposure. The area has seen some development pressure as Brooklyn's housing market expands eastward.

Families from the East New York and New Lots area can walk to the school if they live in the zoned catchment, though the neighborhood's lower safety scores may influence how comfortable children are walking independently. Public transit access is reasonable for a Brooklyn neighborhood, with several bus routes serving the area.