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Excellent

#33 of 991 private schools in NY

Top 3% of private schools

Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School

High School

23 SIDNEY PL, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NY statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

167

Student-Teacher

4.1:1

Score

8.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#3 of 173

public schools

New York high schools

#7 of 191

About Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School

Mary McDowell Friends School - Upper School is a high school located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. With an enrollment of 167 students and a student-teacher ratio of 4.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student, ensuring they receive the support needed for their educational journey. The campus sits on Sidney Place and benefits from being part of a vibrant city environment.

Despite having no specific test score data available, Mary McDowell Friends School - Upper School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.0 out of 10 and is ranked at #501 out of 991 schools in New York State. The school focuses on fostering strong academic skills alongside personal development, aiming to prepare students for future challenges. Located in a bustling city setting, Mary McDowell Friends School - Upper School offers its students access to a variety of cultural and community resources right outside the classroom doors.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 167 students, Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.1:1, Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School 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.

As a private school, Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School compares to 171 public schools serving similar grades in Brooklyn, NY

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.1:1
This School
vs
11.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
167
This School
vs
620
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 65.9% vs 0%
Black 12% vs 0%
Asian 6.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.8% vs 0%
Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School Brooklyn Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School (this school) 8.4
BROOKLYN FRONTIERS HIGH SCHOOL 6.3
URBAN ASSEMBLY INSTITUTE OF MATH AND SCIENCE FOR YOUNG WOMEN 9.0
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (THE) 6.8
DIGITAL ARTS AND CINEMA TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL 8.1
BOERUM HILL SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (THE) 8.1
GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE CAREER AND TECHNICAL ED HIGH SCHOOL 8.0
CITY POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL 5.3
COBBLE HILL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES 7.2
SCIENCE SKILLS CENTER HIGH SCHOOL 8.0
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND ART 7.1
BROOKLYN INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 5.0
NEW DAWN CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL 5.0
PS 369 COY L COX SCHOOL 7.1
BROOKLYN LABORATORY CHARTER SCHOOL 7.6
KHALIL GIBRAN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY 8.7
BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 6.9
BROOKLYN COLLABORATIVE STUDIES 7.7
BROOKLYN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL 7.5
DR SUSAN S MCKINNEY SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 7.8
SUMMIT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL 4.9

Showing 20 of 171 schools. View all schools in Brooklyn

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NY.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 52%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 167
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NY

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 65.9%
Two or More 13.2%
Black 12.0%
Asian 6.6%
Hispanic 1.8%
Native American 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

23 SIDNEY PL, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. URBAN ASSEMBLY INSTITUTE OF MATH AND SCIENCE FOR YOUNG WOMEN (rated 9.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is DIGITAL ARTS AND CINEMA TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BOERUM HILL SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (THE) (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.5 mi
School Distance Rating
PACKER COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Brooklyn 0.1 mi 5.2
GUIDE POST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi
A FANTIS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 8.1
ST ANN'S SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 7.6
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.8
MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL- LS Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.5
BROOKLYN FRONTIERS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.3
PS 29 JOHN M HARRIGAN Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.8
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (THE) Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.8
URBAN ASSEMBLY INSTITUTE OF MATH AND SCIENCE FOR YOUNG WOMEN Brooklyn 0.4 mi 9.0
BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.7
DIGITAL ARTS AND CINEMA TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 8.1
BOERUM HILL SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (THE) Brooklyn 0.5 mi 8.1
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-COBBLE HILL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.3
PLYMOUTH CHURCH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi
THE STERLING SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.2
PS 261 ZIPPORIAH MILLS Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.4
FUSION ACADEMY BRK: BROOKLYN Brooklyn 0.4 mi 5.7
BROOKLYN AUTISM CENTER ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.4 mi
COBBLE HILL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$169,285

Median Home Value

$1,131,700

Median Rent

$3,207/mo

Population

69,251

College Educated

79.2%

Homeownership

35.5%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School has a median household income of $169,285. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,131,700, with a median rent of $3,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HIGH SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP (THE) Brooklyn, NY 8.4
BROOKLYN EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 8.5
NORTHERN ACADEMY OF THE ARTS Middletown, NY 8.5
OAKWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL Poughkeepsie, NY 8.3
REPERTORY COMPANY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEATRE ARTS New York, NY 8.3
WEBUTUCK HIGH SCHOOL Amenia, NY 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School

What grades does Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School serve?

Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School?

Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School is 4.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School rank in NY?

Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School is ranked #33 out of 991 private schools in NY.

What is Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School has a composite rating of 8.4 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.

Is Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School a private school?

Yes, Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School is a private coeducational school with a Friends (Quaker) affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School a religious school?

Mary Mcdowell Friends School - Upper School has a Friends (Quaker) religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
97 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
93 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
167
Gender Split
62% M / 38% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Friends (Quaker)
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large City
County
KINGS
Data Year
2022–2023

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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