Parkside Preparatory Academy

Test scores at Parkside Preparatory sit below the District 17 averages — 44.7% in ELA versus 60.5% district-wide, and 35.3% in Math versus 57.3% — placing the school in the lower tier of its peer group. However, the long-term trend shows meaningful growth: ELA has risen from 25.7% in 2016 to 44.7% in 2025, a gain of nearly 20 percentage points, while math has been more volatile, dipping to 18% in 2022 before climbing to 35.3% this year. Grade 8 performs strongest in ELA (48%), while Grade 7 leads in math (43.2%), suggesting the upper grades are beginning to close gaps. The school's overall score of 1.6 out of 4 reflects the ground still to cover, but the trajectory is upward.

The day-to-day climate at Parkside reflects real strengths alongside areas that need attention. Family trust is notably high: 90% of parents report satisfaction, 89% trust teachers, and 83% trust the principal — numbers that match or exceed district averages. Teachers give their own instruction quality a strong 90%, and collegial trust among staff sits at 86%. However, teacher-principal trust drops to 74%, suggesting some tension in the leadership relationship that could affect morale. Attendance is average for the district at 91.4%, but chronic absenteeism is a significant concern at 66.5% — meaning roughly two-thirds of students miss at least 10% of the school year, with Black students missing at the highest rate (70.4%). Discipline is minimal, with just one suspension in the past year and a 0% suspension rate, indicating a restorative approach that keeps students in class.

The school serves 357 students in a demographically homogeneous community: 69% Black, 19% Hispanic, 6% Asian, and small percentages of other groups. With an economic need index of 79.5% and 27% of students receiving IEP services, the population faces significant resource challenges. The neighborhood itself is diverse in terms of educational attainment — 41.8% of residents hold a BA or higher — but the school population is heavily Black and economically needy, reflecting the broader patterns of District 17.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate is a neighborhood of contrasts. Families benefit from excellent transit access (81st percentile) and strong family density (75th percentile), making it practical for commutes and connected to other families. The area has a high education orientation (82nd percentile), reflecting many families with school-age children. However, safety scores are low (19th percentile), with elevated crime density and asthma rates that some parents may find concerning. The median home value of $949,275 signals an increasingly expensive area, while the 22.5% homeownership rate indicates a largely renter population.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with strong transit access, making it accessible by foot or subway for families without cars