P.S. 376

P.S. 376's proficiency rates — 81% ELA and 78.5% math — place it roughly 35 percentage points above the District 32 averages, making it one of the highest-performing zoned schools in the borough. The school's trajectory is striking: from 2016 when both subjects hovered near 49%, scores climbed steadily through 2019, dipped during the pandemic (as they did everywhere), then rebounded dramatically to hit these 2025 highs. Grade 3 performance is exceptional at 94.9% ELA and 93.7% math — suggesting strong early literacy intervention — while grades 4 and 5 remain strong but slightly lower. The overall 3.19/4 score reflects consistently high performance across multiple metrics, not just test scores.

The culture here reflects a paradox: families feel deeply connected (92% parent satisfaction, 95% parent-teacher trust, 92% parent-principal trust), but teachers report a more complicated relationship with leadership (63% teacher-principal trust, 73% collegial trust). Teacher instruction quality scores a perfect 100% — an extraordinary finding — meaning classrooms are working well even if the adults have internal tensions. Attendance is a real concern: the 72.5% chronic absenteeism rate is extraordinarily high, affecting boys and girls nearly equally, and while it's consistent across racial groups (70% for Black and Hispanic students, 91% for white students — though white student numbers are small), it suggests families are disengaged from getting kids to school regularly. The discipline record is pristine: zero suspensions for three consecutive years, indicating a restorative or supportive approach to behavior.

P.S. 376 serves 473 students in a school that mirrors its Bushwick neighborhood's demographics: 82% Hispanic, 8% Black, 6% white, 3% Asian, with 1% Native American. The economic need index of 77.4% confirms this is a high-poverty community — most families qualify for free or reduced lunch — yet the school is outperforming wealthier peers. Thirteen percent of students have IEPs, matching typical district averages. The diversity index of 39% reflects a relatively homogeneous student body, typical for this part of Bushwick.

Bushwick is a dense, transit-friendly north Brooklyn neighborhood known for its Puerto Rican and Dominican roots, rising home values, and increasingly diverse population. The area scores well on transit (84th percentile) and family density (72nd percentile), meaning it's easy to get around and full of kids — good for playdates and community. However, safety scores are low (17.62 percentile), reflecting elevated crime density and collision rates. The median home value of $882,472 and homeownership rate of just 11% indicate this is largely a renter community, with families navigating the pressures of an expensive, changing neighborhood. Education orientation scores moderate (59th percentile), suggesting this isn't a hyper-selcetive school district but one where public schools matter.

Most families walk or take public transit — Bushwick is highly walkable with good subway access (the L, J, and M lines nearby), and the low homeownership rate means many families live within the zoned catchment area. Driving is difficult given neighborhood density and limited parking.