At a Glance
A beloved neighborhood school with exceptional trust and safety scores, where families stay for years despite chronic absenteeism challenges
Families who prioritize a trusting, low-stress school environment over academic intensity; parents who value strong relationships with teachers and administrators; families with children who have IEPs (the school has robust special education support); and parents who can manage the attendance challenge — either by ensuring their own children show up consistently or by advocating for school-wide interventions.
- Zero suspensions for three consecutive years
- Near-perfect trust scores: 96-100% across parent-teacher, parent-principal, and teacher-principal relationships
- Teacher-reported safety at 99% — among the highest in the district
- 100% of families report strong relationships with the school
- 30% of students have IEPs — the school is well-equipped for special education
- Teacher instruction quality rated 99% vs. 89% district average
- Chronic absenteeism is very high at 79.2% — nearly 8 out of 10 students miss significant school time
- PTA fundraising ($228/student) is roughly half the district average — less parent financial volunteerism than peers
- Attendance rate slightly trails the district average
- Test score data not provided, limiting academic performance assessment
- The high chronic absenteeism spans all demographic groups, suggesting a systemic cultural rather than socioeconomic issue
- Students with IEPs represent 30% of enrollment — high for a general education school
Based on 2024-25 data
School SummaryDistrict 15
Among the peer schools listed in District 15, P.S. 146 does not appear in the top-tier comparison (which includes P.S. 172 at 95/100, Success Academy Cobble Hill at 95/100, and P.S. 039 at 93/100). However, the school excels in areas that don't show up on quality reviews: relationship-building, safety, and trust. Parents who value a warm, inclusive community often cite these intangibles over test scores.
Test score data was not provided in this dataset, so a direct academic performance comparison to district averages is unavailable. However, with teacher instruction quality rated at 99% — significantly above the district average of 89% — the instructional foundation appears strong. The school's small class size (25 students, nearly matching the district average of 24.9) allows for personalized attention.
The survey results here are extraordinary: 100% of families report strong relationships, 99% of teachers feel safe at work, and trust scores between parents, teachers, and leadership all hover around 96-97%. There have been zero suspensions for three consecutive years. However, the attendance picture is concerning — the 92.9% attendance rate is slightly below the district average, and chronic absenteeism at 79.2% is remarkably high, with notable disparities across racial groups (90.5% for white students vs. 58.8% for Hispanic students). This suggests the school culture is warm and trusting, but getting students to show up consistently remains a significant challenge.
The student body is notably diverse with a diversity index of 81%, though the demographics skew whiter (40%) than many district schools. About 22% of students are Hispanic, 16% Black, 16% multiracial, and 5% Asian. Thirty percent of students have IEPs, which is higher than many peer schools. The economic need index of 36.4% is relatively moderate for the area. PTA fundraising of $228 per student is about half the district average of $491, which may reflect the neighborhood's demographics or different fundraising cultures.
Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook is one of Brooklyn's most affluent, education-oriented neighborhoods. Median household income approaches $140,000, and 67.6% of residents have bachelor's degrees or higher. The family density score of 85.82 reflects a community built around children. However, the safety score of 50.57 is barely average, and the area scores poorly on health environment indicators, including elevated lead rates (20%) and asthma emergency department rates (104 per 1,000). Transit access (41.76) is moderate.
The neighborhood is highly walkable, with many families arriving on foot. However, the area's popularity means street parking can be challenging during drop-off and pickup times.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 266 families responded (43% rate)
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 (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook.
- What grades does The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 serve?
- The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- Is The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 public, charter, or private?
- The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 is a public school in NYC Community School District 15.
- What neighborhood is The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 in?
- The Brooklyn New School, P.S. 146 is in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook, Brooklyn.
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