School of Math, Science, and Healthy Living

ELA proficiency of 51.5% and math proficiency of 57.1% both sit about 14 to 15 points below the District 20 average, so students here are catching up, not leading. The trajectory, though, tells the more hopeful story: after a sharp post-pandemic dip in 2022 (ELA 22.3%, math 28%), scores have climbed four years running, with 2025 producing the strongest results of the past decade. Performance swings sharply by grade — Grade 3 math is a strong 73.9%, but Grade 5 ELA sits at just 30.4% — suggesting the upper elementary years are where the school loses ground.

The gap between parent and teacher perspectives is the most striking thing about this school. Ninety-seven percent of families are satisfied, and parent trust in both teachers and the principal sits at 99% — backed by a 100% family survey response rate, which is essentially unheard of. Teachers tell a more cautious story: only 72% rate instruction quality positively (vs. 92% district-wide) and 87% feel safe (vs. 96.5% district). Zero suspensions over the past three years is a clear positive, but chronic absenteeism at 74.3% is a serious red flag — nearly three out of four students are missing enough school to qualify.

The student body mirrors the surrounding neighborhood almost exactly: 51% Hispanic and 39% Asian, with 83% of students classified as high economic need. About 17% of students have IEPs — a meaningful share that reflects real inclusion. At only 233 students, the school is small enough that families tend to know each other, and the 100% family survey response suggests they show up in every way except financially: PTA fundraising totals just $6 per student, roughly a tenth of the district average.

Western Sunset Park is a working-class, immigrant-rooted stretch of Brooklyn where about a third of adults hold a bachelor's degree and median household income sits around $81,000. Roughly one in five households includes children, and homeownership is low — most families rent here, in a neighborhood built up around its long-standing Latino and Chinese communities. Getting around is straightforward, with three subway stations within an easy walk.

Three R and N/R stops serve the school: 59 St (N, R) is a 4-minute walk, Bay Ridge Av (R) is about 8 minutes, and 53 St (R) is roughly 11 minutes away.