P.S. 380 John Wayne Elementary

Test scores at P.S. 380 fall below the District 14 average — 44.3% in ELA and 45.9% in Math versus district averages of 62% and 59% respectively, placing the school's overall score of 1.8 below the district average of 2.4. However, the trend is not a simple story of decline: scores rose dramatically to 59% ELA in 2023 (the highest in recent years) before dropping back in 2024-25. Grade-level data reveals a significant gap — third graders perform strongly at 61% proficiency in both subjects, while fourth graders struggle at just 23% ELA and 26% Math, suggesting a transition-year challenge. The school is performing below where it needs to be relative to the district, though the 2023 peak shows potential when conditions align.

If test scores tell a struggling story, the survey data tells a different one: 95% of parents report satisfaction, 98% trust teachers, and 96% trust the principal — all above district averages. Teachers report 97% instruction quality and 99% safety, the latter being notably high. There have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years, a rare record in any district. However, this positive cultural picture collides with a serious attendance problem — chronic absenteeism sits at 50.7%, meaning half of students are missing too much school. This is far above what teachers and parents likely experience day-to-day with the students who do attend regularly, but it drags down overall outcomes.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (68%) and Black (21%), reflecting the neighborhood's demographics in a community with high economic need — 84.7% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Nearly one in four students (26%) have IEPs, indicating significant special education population. PTA fundraising is modest at $20 per student compared to a district average of $123, suggesting families have limited discretionary income for voluntary contributions. Despite lower fundraising, there's deep engagement on the survey side — 380 families responded, a 99% response rate, showing families are invested in communicating with the school.

South Williamsburg is a high-density, transit-friendly neighborhood with an emphasis on family life — it scores 84.67 percentile for family density. However, it faces serious quality-of-life challenges: the poverty rate is 48.5%, median household income is just $38,784, and only 17.4% of residents have a bachelor's degree. Safety scores are low at 45.98, and environmental health indicators show concerns including elevated lead rates (21.2%) and high asthma rates. On the positive side, transit access is excellent at 87.36 percentile, making commutes manageable. The median home value of $815,797 reflects Brooklyn's broader real estate pressures despite community economic challenges.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong subway access — families can typically reach the school on foot or via short transit rides, which is a practical plus given the area's transit score.