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#2829 of 4,739 schools in NY

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)

Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #23

251 MACDOUGAL ST, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Enrollment

165

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#366 of 570

public schools

New York middle schools

#362 of 785

In district

#15 of 28

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #23

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School, or BEES, is a middle school in Brooklyn that caters to students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 165 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. Located at 251 MacDougall Street, it’s nestled within the bustling city environment of Brooklyn.

BEES focuses on hands-on learning with its environmental exploration curriculum, aiming to engage students in practical, real-world educational experiences. Despite having a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranking #4180 among New York state schools, BEES is dedicated to continuous improvement and student development. Currently, only 19% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 23% meet proficiency standards in math.

BEES sits in the heart of a vibrant city neighborhood where it serves as an integral part of the community, offering opportunities for learning that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 165 students, Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37.8 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) — Students at Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 23.3%
School
State
39.6%
ELA Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
62.8%

Based on 6 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
12.5%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) Compares

See how Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in NY
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

251 MACDOUGAL ST, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. EVERGREEN MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR URBAN EXPLORATION (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BROWNSVILLE COLLABORATIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, RONALD EDMONDS LEARNING CENTER II (rated 4.5/10, 0.7 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
BROOKLYN LANDMARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.0 mi 5.0
PS/IS 155 NICHOLAS HERKIMER Brooklyn 0.2 mi 7.3
EAGLE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN II Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.9
OCEAN HILL COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.5
PS 137 RACHEL JEAN MITCHELL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.0
PS/IS 45 HORACE E GREENE Brooklyn 0.4 mi 5.0
BROOKLYN COLLEGIATE: A COLLEGE BOARD SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.7
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST BROWNSVILLE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.9
PS 178 SAINT CLAIR MCKELWAY Brooklyn 0.4 mi 4.0
EVERGREEN MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR URBAN EXPLORATION Brooklyn 0.6 mi 6.9
CHRISTOPHER AVENUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 4.7
LEADERSHIP PREPARATORY OCEAN HILL CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.7
PS 298 DR BETTY SHABAZZ Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.4
BROWNSVILLE COLLABORATIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.3
PS/IS 384 FRANCES E CARTER Brooklyn 0.7 mi 5.4
PS 40 GEORGE W CARVER Brooklyn 0.6 mi 6.4
TREY WHITFIELD SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 6.2
DR JACQUELINE PEEK-DAVIS SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 4.0
RONALD EDMONDS LEARNING CENTER II Brooklyn 0.7 mi 4.5
PS 327 DR ROSE B ENGLISH Brooklyn 0.9 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,034

Median Home Value

$1,013,000

Median Rent

$1,613/mo

Population

82,711

College Educated

32.5%

Homeownership

23.1%

Avg Commute

40.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.6%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) has a median household income of $62,034. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,013,000, with a median rent of $1,613/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 41 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
UNION SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Union Springs, NY 6.0
ELIJAH STROUD MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 6.1
ESMT-IS 190 Bronx, NY 6.1
MS 35 STEPHEN DECATUR Brooklyn, NY 5.9
ST AIDAN UPPER SCHOOL Williston Park, NY 6.1
TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL New York, NY 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)

What grades does Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) serve?

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)?

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) has an enrollment of approximately 165 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)?

The student-teacher ratio at Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) rank in NY?

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) is ranked #2829 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) has 23.3% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) a charter school?

No, Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) a Title I school?

No, Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees)?

96.4% of students at Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School (bees) 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
165
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
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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