P.S. 287 Bailey K. Ashford

Test scores at P.S. 287 are significantly below the District 13 average — 36.1% ELA proficiency versus 53% districtwide, and just 10.8% math versus 46%. But the deeper story is the volatility: scores spiked dramatically in 2023 (ELA to 57%, math to 33%) before dropping back down in 2024 and partially recovering in 2025. This pattern is unusual and suggests possible instability in how students are performing or being assessed. Grade 4 math is particularly concerning at 5.9%, and only Grade 5 math data was provided for that year. The overall score of 0.94/4 places this school far below the district average of 1.98.

Here's where the picture shifts dramatically. Parents give this school near-perfect marks: 98% satisfaction, 99% trust in teachers and principal, and 96% report strong relationships. Teachers similarly rate instruction quality high at 92% (above district average) and report feeling safe (95%). However, the daily reality shows strain — attendance is 86.7% (below district average) and chronic absenteeism is a striking 41.4%, with nearly half of female students missing significant school time. There's a disconnect between how families feel about the school and whether they actually show up. Discipline is minimal (1 suspension last year), which is a positive sign, but the extremely low teacher survey response rate (15 responses) makes that data less reliable.

With only 130 students across grades PK-5, this is a very small school. The student body is predominantly Black (75%) with significant Hispanic representation (21%), while the surrounding affluent neighborhood is majority white and Asian. Economic need is high at 85%, and 15% of students have IEPs. PTA fundraising is minimal at $2 per student ($234 total), far below the district average of $438 — reflecting the economic realities of families even in a high-income area.

Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill is one of the city's most convenient neighborhoods for families — transit scores nearly perfect at 98, meaning getting here from anywhere in the city is easy. It's family-dense (82 percentile) with parks and cultural resources nearby. However, safety scores are low (21) and the area has elevated environmental concerns (asthma rates, lead exposure). The neighborhood's wealth ($150K median income, $1.46M median home value) contrasts sharply with the school's high-need population.

Highly walkable and transit-accessible — families can easily reach the school without cars, and the area's density makes it manageable for younger children walking or biking with parents.