P.S. 274 Kosciusko

Test scores at P.S. 274 have been volatile — the school saw a significant dip during pandemic remote learning (ELA dropped to 22% in 2023, Math to just 8.9% in 2022) but has recovered to 35.4% ELA and 30.9% math in 2025. Both remain well below the district averages of 45.9% ELA and 43.2% math. The school earned an overall quality score of 1.33 out of 4, placing it below the district average of 1.78. There's an interesting split by grade: 5th graders are performing strongest in ELA (44.3%), while 3rd graders show the strongest math results (35%). Math performance in 5th grade is notably weak at 22.2%.

This is where P.S. 274 genuinely stands out. Parent satisfaction sits at 99%, with parent-teacher trust and parent-principal trust both at 100%. Teachers report 100% safety and 100% collegial trust. Instruction quality scores (92%) exceed the district average. Perhaps most remarkably, the school has had zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a 0% suspension rate in a district that averages about 1.2%. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 63.4%, significantly impacting how many students are actually in school day to day. Hispanic families report the highest chronic absenteeism rates (65.8%), suggesting underlying challenges with attendance that go beyond school culture.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (82%) with significant Black enrollment (14%), reflecting the surrounding Bushwick neighborhood. The school serves a high-need population — 89.7% economic need index and 16% of students have IEPs. At 360 students, it's a small school with class sizes (20.8 students) matching the district average. PTA fundraising is modest at $12 per student, below the district average of $16.78.

Bushwick is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood in north Brooklyn. Families report strong transit access (84th percentile) and family density (72nd percentile), though safety scores are concerning (17.62 out of 100 — in the bottom tier). Environmental health indicators show elevated risks: lead exposure rates (21.2%) and asthma emergency department visits (104 per 1,000) are notably high. The median home value is $882,472, but only 11% of residents own homes — this is a renting community. Median household income is $86,760 with a 20% poverty rate.

The school is located on Bushwick Avenue, a major commercial corridor with good subway access. Families in the zoned area can typically walk or take short bus rides. The neighborhood is walkable but parents should be aware of the area's safety rankings when commuting with young children.