At a Glance
A top-performing zoned elementary in Park Slope where academic excellence meets exceptional family engagement
Best suited for
Families already living in Park Slope's zoned area who want a high-performing, academically rigorous elementary with deeply engaged parents. If you're willing to pay premium housing costs for a walkable neighborhood and a school where teachers feel safe, parents trust leadership, and test scores consistently outperform city averages, this is the neighborhood school that delivers. Families seeking socioeconomic diversity or a more laid-back school culture may want to explore other options.
Overall Rating
NY State test proficiency
What stands out
- Academic performance in the top tier of District 15 — math proficiency above 90%
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years
- Exceptional parent trust scores (98% principal trust, 96% satisfaction)
- Near-universal teacher-reported safety (99%)
- Substantial PTA funding ($1M+) enabling enriched programming
- Strong Grade 4-5 performance with math consistently above 92%
Things to consider
- Very high cost of living in the zoned area — families rent or buy in one of NYC's priciest neighborhoods
- Student body is predominantly white (70%) with limited economic diversity
- Zoned admission means you must live in the catchment area — no lottery option
- High parent expectations and intense school community culture may feel overwhelming for some families
- Class sizes average 25, slightly above district average
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 15
Among District 15 schools (which include several high-performing charters and beacon schools), P.S. 321 ranks among the top zoned options. Its overall score of 3.58/4 substantially exceeds the district average of 2.58, and test score performance rivals or exceeds peer schools like P.S. 172 and P.S. 039. The difference? This is a zoned school with guaranteed enrollment for local families, while some higher-scoring peers use selective admissions.
Academics
Test scores here are in a different league than most Brooklyn schools — ELA at 88.7% and Math at 90.4% run roughly 25 points above the District 15 average. The school has recovered nicely from a dip during the pandemic years (2022 saw ELA drop to 78.7%), with consistent year-over-year gains pushing scores to their highest levels on record. Performance is strong across all tested grades, with Grade 4 math reaching an especially impressive 92.4%. Parents here are paying for results, and they're getting them.
Culture
The survey data reads like a dream scenario — 99% of teachers feel safe at work, 98% of parents trust the principal, and 96% of families are satisfied with the school. These numbers are exceptional even for a high-performing school. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three consecutive years, which combined with 95.6% attendance (above the district average) paints a picture of a community where kids are showing up and thriving. Family survey response rates of 70% (910 responses) suggest deep parental engagement rather than a handful of invested parents.
Community
This is a predominantly white (70%) student body with higher economic stability than most NYC schools — only 6.7% economic need index compared to district averages. The diversity index of 58% is moderate, with 11% multiracial, 9% Asian, 7% Hispanic, and 3% Black students. The PTA raised over $1 million last year ($857 per student), which dwarfs the district average of $491 per student — families here have resources and they direct them toward the school. This is a community where parent involvement is the norm, not the exception.
Neighborhood
Park Slope is one of New York's most family-oriented neighborhoods, with a 97% family density score and 82% of residents holding bachelor's degrees. The median home value of $1.6 million tells you everything about the economic profile here — this is a neighborhood where families have significant resources. Transit access is strong (79th percentile), though safety scores are moderate (37th percentile). The area is packed with parks, restaurants, and kid-friendly destinations, making it a magnet for families with young children.
Park Slope is highly walkable, and most zoned families arrive on foot. The neighborhood's grid layout and pedestrian-friendly streets make car-free mornings the norm for most households.
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Historical Trends
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 910 families responded (70% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Economic Need & Special Populations
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Discipline
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is P.S. 321 William Penn a good school?
- On Motley, P.S. 321 William Penn earns an overall quality score of 90/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 15 average.
- What grades does P.S. 321 William Penn serve?
- P.S. 321 William Penn serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into P.S. 321 William Penn?
- P.S. 321 William Penn admits by zone — families living in its attendance zone are generally guaranteed a seat.
- Is P.S. 321 William Penn public, charter, or private?
- P.S. 321 William Penn is a public school in NYC Community School District 15.
- What neighborhood is P.S. 321 William Penn in?
- P.S. 321 William Penn is in Park Slope, Brooklyn.