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Average

#1842 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 39% in state

John Dewey High School

High School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21

50 AVE X, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Enrollment

2,186

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#246 of 570

public schools

New York high schools

#477 of 1,160

In district

#21 of 40

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About John Dewey High School

John Dewey High School serves 2,186 students in grades 9-12 in Brooklyn's 11223 neighborhood, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1. With 150 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides educational opportunities in a large city setting with room for academic growth and development. The school ranks in the 23rd percentile statewide, placing it at #3,647 out of 4,758 New York high schools, indicating an environment focused on supporting students as they work toward their academic goals.

The substantial enrollment creates a diverse student body with opportunities for varied extracurricular activities and peer connections. Located on Avenue X, John Dewey High School sits in a working-class neighborhood where the median household income is $61,356 and about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area reflects Brooklyn's characteristic blend of affordability and urban density, with median home values around $1 million reflecting the borough's real estate market.

With nearly 21% of residents experiencing poverty, the school serves a community with diverse economic backgrounds. The school operates within Brooklyn's vibrant urban landscape, providing students access to the cultural and educational resources that come with being part of New York City's extensive public school system.

What's said publicly about John Dewey High School

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

John Dewey High School is a public high school located in Gravesend, Brooklyn, New York City 2 . The institution operates under the supervision of the New York City Department of Education and was established based on the educational principles of philosopher John Dewey 2 . In 2000, the school received the designation of New American High School 2 . The school hosts various community and academic events, including an International Night and a Financial Aid Walkthrough 1 . Its robotics team, known as the Megalodons (Team 333), competed in the 2026 FRC New York City Regional 1 . The team advanced to the finals of the regional competition and received the Quality Award for their technical skills and robot construction 1 .
Sources (2)
  1. www.johndeweyhighschool.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

John Dewey High School is a large school with 2,186 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+40.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation20.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1

John Dewey High School — Students at John Dewey High School score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 87.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 89.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
86%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How John Dewey High School Compares

See how John Dewey High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in NY
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
150 teachers

Location

50 AVE X, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Dewey High School may also want to explore other high 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 RACHEL CARSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR COASTAL STUDIES (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LEADERS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.7 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 721 BROOKLYN OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Brooklyn 0.0 mi 7.1
PS 212 LADY DEBORAH MOODY Brooklyn 0.2 mi 7.8
HIGH SCHOOL OF SPORTS MANAGEMENT Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.7
KINGSBOROUGH EARLY COLLEGE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.0
LIFE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL FOR FILM AND MUSIC Brooklyn 0.4 mi 8.2
LEADERS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.2
INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT LAFAYETTE Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.0
PS 90 EDNA COHEN SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 4.9
PS 95 GRAVESEND (THE) Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.3
IS 303 HERBERT S EISENBERG Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.9
CONEY ISLAND PREPARATORY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 4.4
RACHEL CARSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR COASTAL STUDIES Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.9
GESHER YEHUDA Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.3
LIBERATION DIPLOMA PLUS Brooklyn 0.8 mi 6.8
PS 216 ARTURO TOSCANINI Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.0
HEBREW LANGUAGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL 2 Brooklyn 0.9 mi 4.4
PS 97 HIGHLAWN (THE) Brooklyn 1.0 mi 8.2
IS 281 JOSEPH B CAVALLARO Brooklyn 0.8 mi 5.9
IS 228 DAVID A BOODY Brooklyn 1.0 mi 6.8
YESHIVAT MAGEN ABRAHAM Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,950

Median Home Value

$1,063,200

Median Rent

$1,653/mo

Population

78,566

College Educated

33.6%

Homeownership

35.8%

Avg Commute

44.7 min

Poverty Rate

19.5%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding John Dewey High School has a median household income of $63,950. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,063,200, with a median rent of $1,653/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.5%. 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
BENJAMIN N CARDOZO HIGH SCHOOL Bayside, NY 6.9
BETHLEHEM CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Delmar, NY 6.9
CURTIS HIGH SCHOOL Staten Island, NY 6.9
SUSAN E WAGNER HIGH SCHOOL Staten Island, NY 6.9
WHITE PLAINS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL White Plains, NY 6.9
ACADEMY OF AMERICAN STUDIES Long Island City, NY 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Dewey High School

What grades does John Dewey High School serve?

John Dewey High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend John Dewey High School?

John Dewey High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,186 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Dewey High School?

The student-teacher ratio at John Dewey High School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Dewey High School rank in NY?

John Dewey High School is ranked #1842 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is John Dewey High School's MySchoolScout rating?

John Dewey High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 John Dewey High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Dewey High School has 87.0% math proficiency and 89.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John Dewey High School a charter school?

No, John Dewey High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Dewey High School a Title I school?

No, John Dewey High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Dewey High School?

87.6% of students at John Dewey High School 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,186
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
150
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.6%
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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