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Very Good

#892 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 19% in state

Academy for Young Writers

High School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #19

1065 ELTON ST, Brooklyn, NY 11208

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

7.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#128 of 570

public schools

New York high schools

#207 of 1,160

In district

#14 of 52

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #19

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Academy for Young Writers

Academy for Young Writers serves 452 students in grades 6-12 in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood. This regular public school maintains an impressive 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 51 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention than many larger schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #338 out of 4,758 schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile among New York schools.

Students show solid achievement with 48% reaching proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 54% in Math across all grade levels tested. As a school spanning both middle and high school years, Academy for Young Writers provides continuity for families seeking a consistent educational environment through these crucial developmental stages. The relatively small enrollment creates an intimate learning community where students and teachers can build meaningful relationships.

The school is located in ZIP code 11208, a diverse working-class area where the median household income is $56,298. While 15% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community shows resilience with a median home value of $621,500. Academy for Young Writers serves this vibrant Brooklyn community of over 108,000 residents in one of New York City's most dynamic boroughs.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Academy for Young Writers offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+12.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Reading vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+34.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1

Academy for Young Writers — Students at Academy for Young Writers score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
62.8%

Based on 5 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
49.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Academy for Young Writers Compares

See how Academy for Young Writers performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in NY
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

1065 ELTON ST, Brooklyn, NY 11208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Academy for Young Writers may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EAST NEW YORK ARTS AND CIVICS HIGH SCHOOL (THE) (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is EAST NEW YORK FAMILY ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, SCHOOL FOR CLASSICS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SPRING CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.0 mi 5.8
PS 273 WORTMAN Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.7
PS 202 ERNEST S JENKYNS Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.1
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST ASPIRE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.0
IMAGINE ME LEADERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 3.0
PS 224 HALE A WOODRUFF Brooklyn 0.7 mi 8.2
VAN SICLEN COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.4
EAST NEW YORK ARTS AND CIVICS HIGH SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.5
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST LINDEN CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 4.0
IS 364 GATEWAY Brooklyn 0.8 mi 6.7
PS 306 ETHAN ALLEN Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.5
PS 346 ABE STARK Brooklyn 0.8 mi 5.5
FREDERICK DOUGLASS ACADEMY VIII MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.8 mi 4.6
JHS 218 JAMES P SINNOTT Brooklyn 0.9 mi 6.8
SCHOOL FOR CLASSICS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.9 mi 5.9
EAST NEW YORK FAMILY ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.3
EAST NEW YORK MIDDLE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Brooklyn 0.9 mi 4.2
EAST NEW YORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Brooklyn 0.9 mi 5.9
PS 36 Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.5
BROOKLYN SCHOLARS CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.9 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,988

Median Home Value

$638,200

Median Rent

$1,563/mo

Population

106,901

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

25.9%

Avg Commute

45.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Academy for Young Writers has a median household income of $59,988. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $638,200, with a median rent of $1,563/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 45 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CIVIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Elmhurst, NY 7.7
CLINTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Clinton, NY 7.7
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL New York, NY 7.7
HIGH SCHOOL FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE (THE) New York, NY 7.7
HIGH SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE-HEROES OF TOMORROW Brooklyn, NY 7.7
KENDALL JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Kendall, NY 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Academy for Young Writers

What grades does Academy for Young Writers serve?

Academy for Young Writers serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Academy for Young Writers?

Academy for Young Writers has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy for Young Writers?

The student-teacher ratio at Academy for Young Writers is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Academy for Young Writers rank in NY?

Academy for Young Writers is ranked #892 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Academy for Young Writers's MySchoolScout rating?

Academy for Young Writers has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Academy for Young Writers?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Academy for Young Writers has 54.5% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Academy for Young Writers a charter school?

No, Academy for Young Writers is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Academy for Young Writers a Title I school?

No, Academy for Young Writers is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Academy for Young Writers?

91.8% of students at Academy for Young Writers qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
83 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Kings County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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