P.S. 288 The Shirley Tanyhill

Test scores at P.S. 288 are significantly below the District 21 average — ELA proficiency of 26.7% and math at 21.9% compared to district averages around 60% and 63% respectively. The school scores 0.97 out of 4 overall, putting it near the bottom of the district. There's been volatility in recent years: ELA peaked at 29.2% in 2023 but dropped to 20.8% in 2024 before recovering to 26.7% in 2025. Math has been especially inconsistent, dropping to a low of 10.4% in 2022 before climbing to 21.9% this year. Grade 7 performs best (37.2% ELA), while Grade 6 struggles most in math (just 9.3%). Students here are catching up, not leading — and parents should know that.

The survey data tells a complicated story. On one hand, teachers report exceptional conditions: 100% say instruction quality is strong, 97% trust the principal, and 94% feel safe. Parents similarly show high trust (93% satisfaction, 89% trust in the principal). But there's a disconnect in engagement — only 11% of families responded to the survey, and chronic absenteeism sits at a troubling 35.5%. The discipline trend is also moving in the wrong direction: suspensions rose from 3 in 2021-22 to 10 in 2023-24. The building itself appears well-run and trusting, but getting families consistently through the door is a real challenge.

The student body is 57% Black and 37% Hispanic, reflecting the neighborhood's demographics. About 27% of students have IEPs — a notably high proportion. Class sizes average 24.6, matching the district average exactly. The diversity index sits at 51%, showing moderate diversity. This is a school where working-class families from the neighborhood send their kids, not a school that draws from across the district.

Coney Island-Sea Gate is a classic Brooklyn neighborhood with an old-school feel — post-war housing, the famous boardwalk, and a mix of longtime residents and newer arrivals. The area scores poorly on safety (36.78) and stability (12.26), with elevated crime density and collision rates. Education orientation is below average at 43.68, and only 10.3% of households have children — it's not a particularly family-dense area compared to other parts of Brooklyn. Median household income is $43,818 with a 27.8% poverty rate. Transit access is moderate (60.15), and median home values are $886,404, reflecting the area's coastal premium despite modest incomes.

The school is accessible by foot from the surrounding blocks and by bus — families in the zone walk or take short bus rides. Parking can be challenging during drop-off and pickup times.