P.S. 399 Stanley Eugene Clark

Test scores here tell a difficult story. The 31% ELA and 30.5% math proficiency rates are roughly half the district averages of 60.5% and 57.3% respectively. Looking at the trend, scores peaked in 2022 (37.8% ELA, 30.9% math) but have since declined, with 2024 showing particular weakness (22.8% ELA). The fifth graders perform strongest in ELA (50%) but struggle in math (26.3%), while third and fourth graders show more balanced but uniformly low performance. These are students who are catching up, not leading — the school is working against significant academic deficits.

The climate data reveals a paradox. Families absolutely love this school — 98% parent satisfaction, 98% parent-teacher trust, and 98% parent-principal trust are exceptional. Teachers report 97% instruction quality and 97% collegial trust among themselves. Yet teacher-principal trust sits at only 64%, a significant red flag suggesting leadership challenges. On discipline, the school has maintained a zero suspension rate for three straight years — a remarkable achievement. However, the 51% chronic absenteeism rate (reaching 60.7% for Hispanic students) suggests serious attendance challenges that may be dragging down academic outcomes. The day-to-day feel seems warm and trusting between teachers and families, but there are underlying tensions between staff and leadership, and too many students are missing too much school.

This is a predominantly Black school in a neighborhood that is also predominantly Black. Seventy-two percent of students are Black, 20% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 3% Native American. With an economic need index of 81.5%, these are families facing significant financial challenges. The school reflects its community — small, under-resourced, with PTA fundraising of just $3 per student compared to a district average of $44. But the community also shows up: 89% of families completed the survey, and despite low fundraising, there's clear engagement through high response rates.

East Flatbush is a densely populated, family-oriented neighborhood with deep Caribbean roots. The area scores very high on family density (76th percentile) and transit access (71st percentile), making it practical for commuting parents. However, the safety score of 10.73 puts it in the bottom percentile — this is a neighborhood where parents have real concerns about street safety. Education orientation scores low (39th percentile), reflecting that this isn't a highly academic or affluent area. The median home value of $710,000 suggests a neighborhood in transition, with long-time homeowners alongside renters facing economic pressure. Families should know the area has community resources but also faces the challenges common to working-class Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Most students walk or take public transit — the neighborhood is dense and transit-accessible, though safety concerns on surrounding streets are a parent consideration