The Maurice Sendak Community School

Scores here run well above District 15 averages — roughly 12-17 percentage points higher in both ELA and Math — placing this school among the stronger performers in the borough. However, the historical trend shows a school that peaked in 2018 (90.5% ELA, 89.2% Math) and hasn't fully recovered to those heights since. The 2024-25 scores represent a slight dip from 2023 in ELA (77.8% down from 77.5%) while Math improved (80.2% from 90.7%). Third graders perform strongest (84.6% ELA, 92.3% Math), with performance declining into upper grades — a pattern worth watching for families with rising students.

The climate data reveals a striking split. Families are highly satisfied — 95% positive, with 98% trusting teachers and 97% trusting the principal. Teachers report 100% safety and strong collegial trust (96%). But only 54% of teachers trust the principal, and just 73% rate instruction quality as good — both significantly below district averages. The zero suspension rate suggests a restorative or permissive approach to discipline. With 81% chronic absenteeism, there's a real question about whether the school climate is engaging all students consistently.

This is a predominantly White school (60%) in a neighborhood that's already 60-70% White and extremely affluent. The diversity index of 69% is moderate, but the student body is less economically diverse than the city overall — only 13.7% economic need. Sixteen percent of students have IEPs, which is standard. PTA fundraising is exceptional at $1,085 per student, more than double the district average, reflecting the neighborhood's high income levels and strong parent engagement.

Park Slope is one of Brooklyn's most family-friendly neighborhoods, ranking in the 97th percentile for family density and 94th for education orientation. The median household income exceeds $191,000, and 82% of residents have a BA+ degree. Median home values top $1.6 million. Transit access is strong (79th percentile), though safety scores are modest (37th percentile). The area is rich in parks, libraries, and family-oriented businesses — it's a neighborhood built around raising children.

Park Slope is highly walkable, and most zoned families walk or bike to school. The neighborhood's grid layout and low crime perception in broad daylight make stroller-to-school transitions common.