P.S. 289 George V. Brower

P.S. 289's 2024-2025 scores show 64% ELA proficiency and 69.1% math proficiency — both above the District 17 averages of 60.5% and 57.3% respectively. The school's overall quality rating of 2.66/4 also beats the district average of 2.36. Looking at grade-level performance, 3rd graders are performing strongest with 73.1% ELA and 87.5% math — impressive numbers that suggest strong early instruction. However, 5th grade math drops to 46.9%, indicating some curriculum or transition challenges in the upper grades. The historical trend is encouraging: scores dipped during the pandemic (31.8% ELA in 2022) but have climbed steadily since, with math particularly strong at 69.1%. That said, the yo-yo pattern from 2016-2024 (ELA ranging from 27% to 65%) suggests inconsistent year-over-year performance that parents should monitor.

This is where P.S. 289 genuinely shines. Parent satisfaction sits at 96% — well above the 91% district average — and nearly every family reports strong trust in the principal (99%) and teachers (98%). Teacher-reported safety is a perfect 100%, compared to 95% district-wide, and there have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years. Teacher instruction quality matches the district average at 89%. However, there are red flags worth noting: the chronic absenteeism rate of 49.6% is extraordinarily high (district average is around 9%), meaning nearly half of students are missing significant school time. Teacher survey participation was very low (only 15 responses), which may skew some of these positive numbers. The day-to-day feel appears warm and safe, with strong family-school connections, but the attendance pattern suggests some families are struggling to get kids to school consistently.

The student body is 274 students across pre-K to 5th grade, with a class size of 22 — essentially the district average. Demographics are predominantly Black (66%) with significant Hispanic representation (20%), reflecting the Crown Heights neighborhood. The economic need index is very high at 88.7%, meaning nearly 9 in 10 students qualify for free or reduced lunch. IEP students make up 35% of the population — notably higher than typical. The diversity index of 58% is moderate. Notably, PTA fundraising is effectively zero ($0.01 total), which means fewer enrichment resources than peer schools. This is a high-need community served by a school where the vast majority of families are economically disadvantaged, yet those who engage with the school report extremely high satisfaction.

Crown Heights (North) is a densely populated, transit-rich neighborhood in Brooklyn with a strong family orientation (90th percentile for family density). The area has excellent subway access (87th percentile) and a solid education orientation (77th percentile), meaning families here prioritize schooling. However, safety scores are low (14th percentile), and the poverty rate sits at 20% with a median household income of $73,859. Homeownership is low at 16%, meaning most families rent. The neighborhood is culturally vibrant but faces the typical urban challenges of traffic, noise, and air quality concerns. For families, the trade-off is clear: great transit and family infrastructure, but real safety considerations to navigate.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with excellent transit options — families can easily reach the school without cars. However, the low safety score and collision rates suggest parents should plan routes carefully, particularly around peak traffic times.