At a Glance
A small, unscreened high school in East New York where families report exceptional trust in leadership and zero suspensions, serving a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body with strong theater program demand
Families in East New York-New Lots seeking a small, supportive high school with strong parent-principal relationships and a theater focus. Best for families who prioritize trust and school climate over raw academic performance data, and who are comfortable with the neighborhood's tradeoffs (affordable via transit, but with safety and environmental considerations). The high economic need index suggests this serves families who may benefit from the school's supportive culture.
- Exceptional family trust metrics — 98% parent-principal trust and 96% parent-teacher trust, both above district averages
- Zero suspensions reported — notably different from the 1.56% district average
- Strong theater program demand — 146 applicants for 90 seats with 50% offer rate indicates genuine community interest
- Small school scale — 252 students enables intimate class sizes of 21.8
- High parent satisfaction — 97% vs. 91% district average
- No state test proficiency data provided — families cannot easily compare academic performance to district peers
- Teacher-reported instruction quality (78%) lags behind district average (88%) and only 14 teachers responded to surveys
- Very low teacher survey response rate (14 responses) makes culture climate data less reliable
- Low neighborhood safety score (31.42) and high crime density may be a concern for some families
- Environmental health indicators (lead rates, asthma rates) in the neighborhood are elevated
- PTA fundraising is minimal at $60 total ($0 per student), below the $18.50 district average
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 19
Among district peers in District 19 (which includes schools like P.S. 190 Sheffield at 85/100 and P.S. 149 Danny Kaye at 81/100), this high school doesn't have a comparable quality score since it's not an elementary school. However, compared to district averages, the school performs notably higher on parent satisfaction and family trust, dramatically lower on suspensions, but lower on teacher-reported instruction quality. The limited unscreened admissions path may make this more accessible than screened schools in the area.
The school lacks reported state test proficiency data in this dataset, making direct academic comparisons difficult. However, the school offers AP Courses and a range of academic support including Regents preparation, SAT prep, and science research — typical offerings for a district high school. The program richness score of 90/100 indicates a reasonably robust curriculum, though families should note that teacher-reported instruction quality (78%) falls below the district average of 88%. This gap between parent satisfaction and teacher self-assessment is notable and worth exploring at enrollment events.
The school culture shows an unusual pattern: families are exceptionally satisfied (97% — well above the 91% district average) and trust in leadership is nearly universal (parent-principal trust at 98%, parent-teacher trust at 96%). However, teacher-reported measures tell a more complicated story — instruction quality is rated at 78% (below the 88% district average) and teacher collegial trust sits at just 59%. With only 14 teacher survey responses, these numbers should be interpreted cautiously. The zero suspensions is a significant data point suggesting either effective behavioral support or very different disciplinary approaches compared to peer schools (district average suspension rate is 1.56%).
The student body is predominantly Black (40%) and Hispanic (39%), with smaller Asian (14%), White (6%), and Native American (2%) populations. The diversity index of 72% reflects a heterogeneous student population typical of Brooklyn district schools. With 24% of students having IEPs and an economic need index of 92.6% (well above typical district averages), this school serves a high-need population. The neighborhood has a relatively lowBA+ education rate (16%) and moderate poverty (22.6%), suggesting many families may be first-generation high school completers — a context where strong parent-school trust can be especially valuable.
East New York-New Lots is a predominantly residential Brooklyn neighborhood in District 19 with mixed transit access (68.58 score), moderate family density (63.6), but low education orientation (37.93) and significant safety concerns. The safety score of 31.42 is notably low, and crime density is high at 2565 per area measure. Environmental health indicators also raise concerns: elevated lead rates (16.3%) and asthma emergency department rates (104.4 per 10,000) are above ideal levels. However, the neighborhood has seen ongoing development and has decent public transit options, with median home values at $605,545 indicating some economic stability.
Families typically arrive by public transit — the neighborhood scores 68.58 on transit access, meaning bus and subway options are reasonable. Walking in the area varies by exact location; families should assess the specific route and timing, particularly given the low safety score. Driving may be necessary for some families depending on exact home location.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 70 families responded (21% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
We have developed an interesting sequence of theater courses that involve portraying complex characters, scene work, monologues, improvisation, and stage craft. Students begin their high school career with introductory theater classes which progress to the writing, production, and performing of plays and shows.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is School for Classics High School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for School for Classics High School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in East New York-New Lots.
- What grades does School for Classics High School serve?
- School for Classics High School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into School for Classics High School?
- School for Classics High School admits mostly by lottery, with a modest preference for students who show interest (a tour or info session).
- Is School for Classics High School public, charter, or private?
- School for Classics High School is a public school in NYC Community School District 19.
- What neighborhood is School for Classics High School in?
- School for Classics High School is in East New York-New Lots, Brooklyn.
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