The School of Creativity and Innovation

This school's academic profile is a study in contrasts. Math proficiency at 69.6% runs ahead of the district average of 63.3%, while ELA at 60.2% trails the district's 65.5%. The three-year trend is encouraging: ELA climbed from 54.2% in 2024 to 60.2% in 2025, and math rebounded from a dip to 58.1% in 2024 up to 69.6% — essentially matching its 2023 level. The overall score of 2.6 out of 4 sits marginally above the district average of 2.58. Looking at grade-level performance, 5th graders are pulling the weight with 75.7% ELA proficiency, while 3rd graders show the most ground to cover at 50% in reading.

If test scores are mixed, the school climate is unambiguous: this is a place where people want to be. Parent satisfaction hits 96%, parent-teacher trust reaches 99%, and every single family surveyed reported strong relationships with the school. Teachers echo that sentiment — 95% rate instruction quality as strong, and 99% feel safe at work. The zero suspension rate (tied for lowest in the district) suggests a restorative approach to discipline rather than exclusionary practices. The catch? Chronic absenteeism sits at a troubling 78.6%, significantly above district norms — meaning many families trust the school but still struggle to get kids there regularly.

The student body reflects the neighborhood's demographic reality: 47% Hispanic and 42% Asian, with very few Black (1%) or White (5%) students. The diversity index of 57% is moderate, and the economic need index of 81.9% signals a high-poverty population — roughly 1 in 4 students have an IEP, above typical rates. At 167 students total, this is a small school by Brooklyn standards, which likely contributes to the intimate community feel that survey respondents rave about.

Sunset Park is a working-class neighborhood in central Brooklyn, known for its large immigrant population, strong family density (92nd percentile), and increasingly competitive housing market (median home value over $1 million). The area scores poorly on safety (31st percentile) with elevated crime density and collision rates. Transit access is solid (68th percentile), and the neighborhood has parks and community resources, though the education orientation score (34th percentile) suggests this isn't a neighborhood defined by its schools. Families should know the area has a 23% poverty rate and only 26% homeownership — many families here are renting, and the population is transient.

The neighborhood is highly walkable with good subway access via the D, N, R, and BMT lines. Families from within Sunset Park can easily walk, while those coming from further afield may rely on the 36th Street or 9th Avenue stations.