Average
#2923 of 4,739 schools in NY
Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro
Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
8787 24TH AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Enrollment
1,232
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,232
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#380 of 570
public schools
New York middle schools
#384 of 785
In district
#34 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
Equity
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro
IS 281 Joseph B Cavallaro serves 1,232 students in grades 6 through 8 in Brooklyn's diverse 11214 zip code. This middle school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 93 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, the school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 57% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 47% of students achieve proficiency. The school ranks in the 53rd percentile among New York's middle schools, reflecting its position as a steadily performing institution with opportunities for continued academic development. The school draws from a vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood where the median household income is $60,152 and nearly one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The community reflects the broader diversity of Brooklyn, with a mix of established families and newer residents contributing to the area's $947,700 median home values. IS 281 operates as a regular public school within New York City's large urban education system, providing middle school students with foundational academic experiences in a bustling Brooklyn community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro — Students at Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.4/10.
How Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro Compares
See how Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 47% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
8787 24TH AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LIFE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL FOR FILM AND MUSIC (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 97 HIGHLAWN (THE) (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 200 BENSON SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 11214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,286
Median Home Value
$1,007,400
Median Rent
$1,710/mo
Population
88,994
College Educated
32.4%
Homeownership
33.9%
Avg Commute
45.2 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
41.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro has a median household income of $64,286. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,007,400, with a median rent of $1,710/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| MIDDLETOWN TWIN TOWERS MIDDLE SCHOOL Middletown, NY | 5.9 |
| MINISINK VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Slate Hill, NY | 5.9 |
| WHITE PLAINS MIDDLE SCHOOL White Plains, NY | 5.9 |
| J WATSON BAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Kingston, NY | 6.0 |
| JHS 167 ROBERT F WAGNER New York, NY | 6.0 |
| JHS 67 LOUIS PASTEUR Little Neck, NY | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro
What grades does Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro serve?
Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro?
Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro has an enrollment of approximately 1,232 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro?
The student-teacher ratio at Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro rank in NY?
Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro is ranked #2923 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro's MySchoolScout rating?
Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro has 50.0% math proficiency and 56.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro a charter school?
No, Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro a Title I school?
No, Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro?
86.6% of students at Is 281 Joseph B Cavallaro qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,232
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 93
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 996-6706
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21- District Enrollment
- 34,525
- Schools in District
- 40
- District Rank
- #34 of 40
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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