Motley
District 2020
PublicDistrict 20Screened

The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187

1171 65 STREET

At a Glance

A screened middle school in Dyker Heights delivering exceptional academic results with near-universal family trust and a dizzying array of programs

Best suited for

Families seeking a high-performing screened middle school with rigorous academics, families who value strong principal relationships and can navigate competitive admissions, and families who don't mind a commute and want their child surrounded by academically motivated peers. Students who thrive in diverse-but-predominantly-Asian environments and families who can support a child through a competitive application process will do well here.

What stands out
  • Screened admissions ensuring an academically motivated student body
  • Test scores consistently 20+ percentage points above district average
  • 99% family trust in principal — nearly unheard of in NYC schools
  • 100/100 program richness score with 50+ extracurriculars including robotics, drama, and multiple STEM pathways
  • 94% teacher instruction quality rating
  • 94% economic need index despite high academic performance — serving higher-need students well
Things to consider
  • Screened admissions mean not all families in the area can access this school — competition is real
  • Grade 8 scores lag behind Grades 6-7, suggesting some academic slippage in the oldest students
  • Suspension rate has increased from zero to 9 students over three years — worth monitoring but not alarming
  • The 76% Asian student body may feel homogeneous to some families seeking more racial diversity
  • Commute can be significant in this car-dependent neighborhood
  • No gifted programs listed specifically — accelerated/honors pathways exist but may not match a dedicated gifted school

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 20

McAuliffe stands out dramatically in District 20, which has several strong schools but none matching its overall score of 3.74 versus the district average of 2.75. Its closest peers (Madeleine Brennan at 83, PS 127 at 82) are solid but trail McAuliffe's proficiency rates by 10+ points. This is the clear academic leader among District 20 middle schools.

AcademicsSteady

Test scores at McAuliffe place it among the top performers in Brooklyn — 92.4% ELA and 94.6% math proficiency far exceed the District 20 averages of 66% and 71%. Grade-level data shows Grade 6 and 7 students performing strongest (93-97% proficiency), while Grade 8 dips slightly to 87-91%, a pattern typical of middle schools where older students face increased academic demands. The school's 3.74 overall score reflects consistent excellence across multiple measures.

Culturestrong

Survey data reveals an exceptionally trusting community — 99% of families trust the principal, 97% trust teachers, and 94% report satisfaction with the school overall. Teachers report high confidence in leadership (94% teacher-principal trust) and strong collegial relationships (92%). Instruction quality scores 93%. The discipline picture is nuanced: the 1% suspension rate (9 students) is low overall but represents an upward trend from zero suspensions in 2021-22. This modest increase may reflect post-pandemic behavioral normalization rather than a culture problem.

Community

The student body is 76% Asian, 12% White, 9% Hispanic, and 1% Black — a composition that reflects the broader Dyker Heights neighborhood, which has grown increasingly diverse while maintaining strong Asian and White populations. The diversity index of 45% is moderate. With 14% of students receiving special education services and a 64% economic need index, McAuliffe serves a mix of higher-need and more affluent families, though the screened admissions process means the school draws academically motivated students from across the economic spectrum.

NeighborhoodDyker Heights

Dyker Heights is a family-dense neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn with a strong education orientation score (65.52 percentile). Median home values top $1 million, and just over half of residents own their homes, suggesting a stable, established community. The neighborhood scores moderately on safety (55.94) and transit (64.37), meaning families should expect a suburban-style commute rather than walkable urban density. Family density is very high at 77 percentile, meaning lots of kids in the area.

Dyker Heights is more car-dependent than most of the city — families typically commute by car or bus rather than walking. If you're considering this school, plan for a commute that may involve significant travel time, especially if coming from outside the immediate area.

Academic Performance

ELA Proficiency

92.4%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Math Proficiency

94.6%

Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
94%
Teacher Trust
97%
Principal Trust
99%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
93%
Principal Trust
94%
Collegial Trust
92%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 490 families responded (52% rate)

Programs & Activities

Academic(1)
Accelerated/Honors
Arts(14)
ArtBandChorusConcert BandCreative WritingDramaFine ArtsMusicMusical TheaterPerforming ArtsStudio ArtTheaterVisual ArtsVocal Music
Sports(1)
Wrestling
STEM(11)
BiotechnologyCivil EngineeringCodingComputer ScienceEngineeringLego RoboticsMathMath TeamRoboticsScienceTechnology
Language(1)
ELL Support
Clubs & Activities(45)
Algebra IArtBandBusiness And FinanceChorusCodingCreative WritingDebateDramaEngineeringFitnessForeign LanguageGardeningGraphic DesignGreen TeamHealthHomework HelpJournalismLawLeadershipLego RoboticsLibraryMany Student Designed CoursesMath TeamMindfulnessMusicMusical TheaterNational Junior Honor SocietyNewspaperPhysical EducationRoboticsScience ClubSpelling BeeSports MedicineStock MarketStudent CouncilTalent ShowTechnologyTheaterTutoringUs HistoryVisual ArtsWeb DesignYearbookYoga

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Moderate
9%Hispanic/Latino
1%Black
12%White
76%Asian

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

PTA Fundraising

2024-25
$131,032total raised
$142per student

Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
64.1%
IEP Students
13.6%

Discipline

9suspensions (1% of students)
3-Year Trend↑ Rising
21
22
23

NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)

Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 a good school?
On Motley, The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 earns an overall quality score of 94/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 20 average.
What grades does The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 serve?
The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 serves grades 6 to 8.
How do students get into The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187?
The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
Is The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 public, charter, or private?
The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 is a public school in NYC Community School District 20.
What neighborhood is The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 in?
The Christa McAuliffe School\I.S. 187 is in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
Premium Details

Get the complete picture

Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.

Data from 15+ NYC agencies on every school
Personalized school matching for your family
Save schools and build your research board
Sign In — It’s Free

No credit card required

Get all this when you sign in

Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.

Full School Profile

Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.

Survey Results

See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.

Programs & Activities

Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.

Admissions Demand

Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.

Economic Need & Special Populations

Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.

Discipline

One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.

Sign In — It’s Free