The Science And Medicine Middle School

Test scores here are below the district average — 46.6% ELA vs. 58% district and 41.4% Math vs. 61% district — but the story is more nuanced than the numbers show. The school has improved dramatically over eight years: ELA grew from 25.7% to 46.6% and Math from 17.1% to 41.4%, with a particularly striking jump in 2024 when Math hit 49.3% before slipping slightly. Grade-level data shows older students performing noticeably better than 6th graders, suggesting the school's approach works as students move through the grades. The overall quality score of 1.76/4 is below the district average of 2.39, reflecting where the school is now rather than where it's heading.

This is where the school shines in ways test scores don't capture. Parents report 98% satisfaction and 98% trust in both teachers and the principal — numbers that exceed district averages. Teachers give 86% instruction quality ratings and 89% trust in leadership. The school has shifted away from suspensions (down from 17 in 2021-22 to just 9 in 2023-24) toward restorative practices. However, chronic absenteeism at 60.2% is a serious concern — higher than the district average — with Black students missing more school than Hispanic students. The day-to-day feel appears supportive and relational, but getting students to show up consistently is a challenge.

The student body is 85% Black, 10% Hispanic, and remarkably homogeneous compared to the city overall — the diversity index of 32% is low. Three-quarters of students come from high-poverty households (economic need index 72.5%), and a quarter have IEPs. The neighborhood of Canarsie is predominantly middle-class with a 50% homeownership rate and median home value of $688,000, which contrasts with the school's high economic need. About 210 families responded to the survey (92% response rate), showing strong parent engagement despite the challenges.

Canarsie is a residential, family-oriented neighborhood in southeast Brooklyn known for its tree-lined blocks and single-family homes. The area has a 50% homeownership rate and median home value pushing $700,000, suggesting stable, middle-class families. Transit access scores 66/100, meaning getting around without a car is manageable. Safety scores 57/100 — not the worst in the city but not exceptional either. There's a notable gap between the neighborhood's relative prosperity and the high economic need at the school, suggesting this may draw students from a wider area.

Canarsie is a car-friendly neighborhood with moderate transit options. Families walking or taking the bus will find the area manageable but not as pedestrian-heavy as neighborhoods closer to subway lines.