Average
#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
Enrollment
165
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 6 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (718) 453-3039
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #23- District Enrollment
- 8,334
- Schools in District
- 28
- District Rank
- #15 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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