P.S. 298 Dr. Betty Shabazz

Test scores at P.S. 298 are significantly below district averages — ELA at 33.7% versus the district's 52.2%, math at 26.6% versus 50.5%. However, context matters: the school has climbed substantially from pandemic-era lows (2022: 9.8% ELA, 15% math) and even from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Grade 3 shows the strongest ELA performance at 42.3%, suggesting early intervention may be taking hold, while Grade 5 math lags at 22.6%. The overall quality rating of 1.21 out of 4 reflects how far the school still has to go compared to district peers.

This is where P.S. 298 tells a different story. Parent satisfaction sits at 93%, parent-teacher trust at 96%, and parent-principal trust also at 96% — extraordinary numbers for any school. Teachers report 93% instruction quality and 91% trust in leadership. However, teacher-reported safety is 80%, notably below the district average of 90%. Attendance is a concern: 86.7% (below district's 88.6%) with a striking 46.5% chronic absenteeism rate — Black students miss at 54.8%, though Hispanic students fare better at 34.6%. On the positive side, there have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years — a discipline record most schools can't match.

With 310 students, P.S. 298 is a small school where everyone knows each other. The student body is 64% Black, 33% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and 2% White — closely mirroring Brownsville's demographics. Twenty-two percent of students have IEPs, indicating robust special education services. PTA fundraising is minimal at $5 per student ($1,691 total), reflecting the neighborhood's economic constraints rather than lack of engagement. The diversity index sits at 44%, and with 87% family survey response rates, there's clear evidence of parental involvement — they just aren't writing big checks.

Brownsville is a neighborhood of tight-knit blocks and limited resources. Median household income is just $33,494 with a 37.6% poverty rate — among Brooklyn's lowest. Only 13.4% of residents have a bachelor's degree, and homeownership sits at 14.2%. The neighborhood scores poorly on safety (19th percentile) but excellently on transit (87th percentile). Family density is low, and the education orientation score of 39 reflects fewer enrichment options than more affluent areas. Environmental health indicators show elevated asthma rates and lead exposure concerns.

The neighborhood has strong transit access, making the school accessible by bus and subway despite limited car infrastructure — families without vehicles can reach the school reasonably well