Science, Technology and Research Early College High School at Erasmus

These numbers tell a remarkable story. In 2016, this school was below the district average in both subjects — now it's beating district averages by 20+ points in ELA (80.1% vs 60.5%) and 18 points in math (75.2% vs 57.3%). The gains aren't accidental: there's a clear upward trajectory year over year, with math jumping from 45.9% in 2022 to 75.2% in 2025. Grade 7 is a powerhouse — 98% ELA proficiency and 93.6% math — suggesting the middle school years are particularly strong here. The 3.11 overall score beats the district average of 2.36 handily.

Walk into this school and you'd find something unusual: zero suspensions, near-perfect attendance (98.1%), and a community that actually trusts its leadership. Parent-principal trust sits at 95%, and teachers give instruction quality a near-perfect 98% rating. The family survey had 148 responses — solid participation for a school this size. Teacher trust in leadership (85%) is slightly lower than parent trust, which is worth noting, but still healthy. The chronic absenteeism rate of just 2.4% (calculated from the 97.6% figure) means kids are showing up, and they're staying.

This is a neighborhood school in the truest sense: 74% Black students, reflecting the East Flatbush community, with 14% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 3% White. The economic need index of 63.9% (significantly above average) tells you many families here are working through financial challenges. At 632 students across grades 6-12, it has a 22-student average class size — slightly larger than the district average but still manageable. Sixteen percent of students have IEPs, and the diversity index of 46% reflects a predominantly Black student body with meaningful Hispanic representation.

East Flatbush has a complicated reputation. The safety score of 10.73 (very low) and high crime density are genuine concerns families should factor in. That said, the neighborhood has real strengths: strong transit access (71.26), a family-dense population (76.25), and median home values over $700,000 suggesting a stable, if challenging, community. The education orientation score of 39.46 is below average — there simply aren't many high-performing options in this area, which makes this school's success even more notable. Families report the neighborhood has gotten quieter in recent years, though concerns persist.

The Flatbush Avenue location is well-served by subway lines (2, 5, B, Q trains nearby), making it accessible from across the borough. Families without cars often rely on public transit; driving and parking can be challenging during school hours.