P.S. 361 East Flatbush Early Childhood School

P.S. 361's test scores sit below district averages—ELA at 54.2% and math at 39.8% versus district averages of 61% and 60%—but the five-year trajectory is striking. ELA proficiency grew from 29.3% in 2019 to 54.2% in 2025, while math climbed from 28.2% to 39.8%. That's a near-doubling of performance, suggesting something is working. Grade-level data shows Grade 3 outperforming (68.2% ELA) while Grade 4 and 5 math hovers around 36-46%. The overall score of 1.88 out of 4 remains below the district average of 2.43, indicating this is a school that's made big gains but still has ground to cover.

The survey data reveals a striking disconnect: families love this school (90% satisfaction, 99% trust in teachers, 98% trust in principal) and teachers report exceptional instruction quality (100%) and strong collegial relationships (94%). However, only 71% of teachers report feeling safe—dramatically below the district average of 96%. Chronic absenteeism is very high at 58.9%, with female students (63.5%) and Black students (61.9%) particularly affected. The school has maintained zero suspensions for three straight years, which is notably better than the district average of 0.47%. The day-to-day feel appears warm and trusting between families and staff, but chronic absenteeism and safety concerns from teachers are real issues.

With 429 students, P.S. 361 is a mid-sized elementary school. The student body is predominantly Black (70%), with significant Hispanic representation (17%), Asian students (8%), and a small white population (4%). This mirrors the East Flatbush neighborhood's demographic makeup. Twenty-five percent of students have IEPs, indicating robust special education services. The economic need index of 82.1% is high—meaning most families qualify for free or reduced lunch—reflecting the neighborhood's working-class character. The diversity index of 51% is moderate.

East Flatbush is a working-to-middle-class Brooklyn neighborhood with a family density score of 50 and an education orientation score of 62. The median home value of $669,177 makes homeownership more accessible than many Brooklyn neighborhoods, and nearly half of residents (47.8%) own their homes. However, only 28.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits at 12.3%. Safety scores (34 out of 100) and health environment scores (19 out of 100) are notably low—these are things parents should factor in. Transit access is moderate (56) and the area is relatively stable (24).

Families in the zoned area walk to school; the neighborhood has moderate transit access via nearby bus routes and is car-friendly given the homeownership patterns