At a Glance
A charter school on the rebound — strong ELA growth and high family trust meet an unusual attendance challenge
Best suited for
Families who value strong parent-school relationships and want a school where their voices are heard; families comfortable with the charter model who can commit to ensuring consistent attendance; parents whose children thrive in a predominantly Hispanic and Black student body; families seeking an alternative to the ultra-competitive district schools in the area but who want solid academics.
Overall Rating
NY State test proficiency
What stands out
- Strong academic recovery from COVID — ELA now exceeds district average
- Exceptionally high parent trust scores (92-93%)
- 7th grade performs at very high levels (85% ELA, 74% math)
- Serves a high-need population (89% economic need) while posting competitive scores
Things to consider
- Chronic absenteeism is very high at 58% — families should weigh whether they can commit to consistent attendance
- Math scores trail the district average, especially in 8th grade
- Teacher instruction quality scores are low at 51%
- 8th grade math (39%) is a significant weakness compared to strong middle school performance elsewhere
- 20% family survey response rate means the glowing satisfaction scores may not represent all families
- Charter school — different governance and less flexibility than district schools
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 15
District 15 has several highly-regarded schools including P.S. 172 (95/100), Success Academy Cobble Hill (95/100), and P.S. 321 (90/100). PAVE's 2.52 overall score places it slightly below the district average of 2.58. While its ELA performance (69%) beats the district average (65%), math (57%) trails significantly. The school occupies an interesting space: academically competitive on reading but weaker on math, and serving a much higher-need population than the neighborhood's demographics would suggest.
Academics
PAVE's academic trajectory is a recovery story. After dropping to 33% ELA and 27% math in 2022 — likely COVID-related — the school has climbed to 69% ELA and 57% math in 2025. That ELA score now beats the district average of 65.5%, which is notable for a school where 89% of students qualify for free lunch. Math at 57% trails the district average of 63%, though it's up substantially from the 2022 low. The grade-level breakdown shows a standout 7th grade (85% ELA, 74% math) but an unusually weak 8th grade math at just 39%.
Culture
Here's the paradox: families love this school, but many kids aren't showing up. Parent satisfaction sits at 91% with 92-93% trust in teachers and principal — exceptional numbers. Yet chronic absenteeism is 57.7%, far above district norms. Female students (61%) and Hispanic students (61%) miss the most school. Teacher instruction quality scores are low at 51%, which may reflect honest self-assessment or curriculum challenges. There's no suspension data listed, but the survey response rate of 20% (78 families) means the climate picture is based on a relatively small slice of the community.
Community
PAVE serves 471 students, predominantly Hispanic (55%) and Black (39%), with nearly all students coming from low-income households (89% economic need index). A quarter of students have IEPs. This is a very different demographic mix than the surrounding neighborhood, which is affluent (median income $140K, 68% college-educated) and predominantly white. The school functions as an educational anchor for families with significant economic challenges who live in or near this historically working-class Brooklyn neighborhood.
Neighborhood
The Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook area is one of Brooklyn's most family-oriented neighborhoods, with tree-lined streets, neighborhood parks, and a strong sense of community. It's known for its mix of longtime residents and newer families, with good transit access though parking is challenging. The area has a 68% college-educated population and high homeownership, making PAVE's high-need student body somewhat distinctive in its surroundings.
Very walkable neighborhood — many families live within blocks and walk to school, though the area can get congested during morning drop-off
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Historical Trends
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 78 families responded (20% rate)
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
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Discipline
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is PAVE Academy Charter School a good school?
- On Motley, PAVE Academy Charter School earns an overall quality score of 63/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run in line with the District 15 average.
- What grades does PAVE Academy Charter School serve?
- PAVE Academy Charter School serves grades K to 8.
- How do students get into PAVE Academy Charter School?
- PAVE Academy Charter School is a charter school — it admits through a free public lottery, with no test or attendance zone.
- Is PAVE Academy Charter School public, charter, or private?
- PAVE Academy Charter School is a public charter school in NYC Community School District 15.
- What neighborhood is PAVE Academy Charter School in?
- PAVE Academy Charter School is in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook, Brooklyn.