P.S. K396

Standardized test proficiency data wasn't included in this profile, so direct comparisons to the district's 52% ELA and 51% Math averages aren't possible here. What stands out instead is the survey picture: 93% of teachers rate their own instruction quality positively, which beats the 89% district average and matters in a District 75 setting where every student is on an IEP. Average class size of 19.7 is right at the district norm of 19.8, giving teachers room to differentiate without inflating caseloads.

The day-to-day feel here is defined by unusually strong family-school relationships. Parent-teacher trust sits at 94% and parent-principal trust at 92%, both well above typical levels. Teacher-reported safety is 97% — the strongest in the peer group and notably above the 90% district average. There were zero suspensions during the survey period, which is striking and points to a school that handles behavioral needs through support rather than removal. The one gap is teacher-principal trust at 81%, lower than the parent-side numbers, suggesting leadership may communicate more effectively with families than with its own staff. Attendance data wasn't broken out, so chronic absence patterns are unclear.

Every student at P.S. K396 has an IEP, which makes the student body fundamentally different from a typical zoned elementary. Racially, the school mirrors Brownsville's makeup closely: 54% Black, 19% Hispanic, 14% Native American, 7% Asian, and 6% White, with a diversity index of 72%. The economic need index of 90.6 places this among the highest-need schools in the city, reflecting both the neighborhood's poverty rate and the fact that families navigating special education services often carry additional financial strain. The 14% Native American share is notably higher than at most city schools, reflecting either a specific program focus or the self-identification patterns of the families served.

Brownsville is one of Brooklyn's poorest neighborhoods, with a median household income around $33,500, a poverty rate of 37.6%, and just 13.4% of adults holding a bachelor's degree. Homeownership is unusually low at 14.2%, meaning most families rent, and only 7.9% of households include children — a low share that reflects both the area's aging population and the economic pressures that push families with kids elsewhere. The median home value of $482,000 reflects citywide price pressure rather than local affluence.

Three subway options sit within walking distance: the 3 train at Rockaway Avenue (about a 9-minute walk), the 3 at Saratoga Avenue (about an 11-minute walk), and the L at Sutter Avenue (about an 11-minute walk). The 3 line at two stops plus the L gives families multiple commute directions.