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Excellent

#25 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 1% in state

Maurice Sendak Community School (the)

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15

211 8TH ST, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Enrollment

199

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#2 of 570

public schools

New York elementary schools

#21 of 2,549

In district

#1 of 49

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Maurice Sendak Community School (the)

Maurice Sendak Community School is a K–5 public elementary school in Brooklyn, New York, serving 199 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, class sizes stay small enough for teachers to give meaningful individual attention — a real advantage in the early grades where foundational skills take root. The school earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10, rated Exceptional by MySchoolScout.

That result places it #2 out of 570 public schools in Brooklyn and #25 out of 4,739 public schools across New York State — putting it in the top fraction of a percent statewide. Its growth score of 9.5 is especially notable: students aren't just arriving at high levels, they're continuing to improve at an accelerated rate year over year, which suggests strong instructional practice rather than selective intake alone. For families comparing elementary options in Brooklyn or beyond, Maurice Sendak's statewide standing holds up under scrutiny.

Ranking 21st among 2,549 New York elementary schools confirms the performance is consistent, not a one-year anomaly. The school's small enrollment of 199 students keeps the environment tight-knit, and the academic data reflects what that structure can produce when paired with effective teaching. For parents who prioritize measurable outcomes in the early grades, this school belongs at the top of any list.

What's said publicly about Maurice Sendak Community School (the)

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

The Maurice Sendak Community School, also known as PS 118, is a small, collaborative learning community that opened in Fall 2013 1 . The school is named after Maurice Sendak, an award-winning children’s author and illustrator and native of Brooklyn, best known for the book Where the Wild Things Are 1 . The institution utilizes an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach to foster intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning 1 . Its mission is to prepare students to become problem solvers and creative thinkers while developing a strong sense of social responsibility to the global community 1 . The school aims to inspire students to find their own creative expression, drawing on Sendak’s artistic spirit 1 . An alumna from the Class of 2024 stated that she felt loved and safe during her time at the school from kindergarten through 5th grade 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.mauricesendakcommunityschool.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 199 students, Maurice Sendak Community School (the) 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+7.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency95%
Math vs. State Avg+31 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.1 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+20.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1

Maurice Sendak Community School (the) — Students at Maurice Sendak Community School (the) score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 84.1%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 87.6%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
85.9%
ELA
91.5%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Maurice Sendak Community School (the) Compares

See how Maurice Sendak Community School (the) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
100th percentile in NY
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

211 8TH ST, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Maurice Sendak Community School (the) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 32 SAMUEL MILLS SPROLE (rated 9.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is MAGNET SCHOOL OF MATH SCIENCE & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, PS 39 HENRY BRISTOW (rated 7.7/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.6 mi
School Distance Rating
AL-MADINAH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 6.0
MS 51 WILLIAM ALEXANDER Brooklyn 0.2 mi 6.0
PS 124 SILAS B DUTCHER Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.5
PS 39 HENRY BRISTOW Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.7
PS 372 CHILDREN'S SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.5
JOHN JAY SCHOOL FOR LAW Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.1
PARK SLOPE COLLEGIATE Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.8
CYBERARTS STUDIO ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.2
MILLENNIUM BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 8.2
HELLENIC CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.3
PS 321 WILLIAM PENN Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.0
PS 32 SAMUEL MILLS SPROLE Brooklyn 0.7 mi 9.1
MAGNET SCHOOL OF MATH SCIENCE & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.8
PS 295 Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.2
JHS 88 PETER ROUGET Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.9
NEW VOICES SCHOOL OF ACADEMIC AND CREATIVE ARTS Brooklyn 0.7 mi 5.6
PS 107 JOHN W KIMBALL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.5
PS 53 Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.1
AL-NOOR SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.1
ST SAVIOUR HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$180,773

Median Home Value

$1,674,700

Median Rent

$2,803/mo

Population

70,922

College Educated

80.2%

Homeownership

40.9%

Avg Commute

38.5 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Maurice Sendak Community School (the) has a median household income of $180,773. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,674,700, with a median rent of $2,803/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 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
PS 110 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE New York, NY 9.2
PS 15 ROBERTO CLEMENTE New York, NY 9.2
ALDEN PLACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Millbrook, NY 9.1
BASIS INDEPENDENT MANHATTAN New York, NY 9.1
CINCINNATUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cincinnatus, NY 9.1
WEST SIDE SCHOOL Syosset, NY 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Maurice Sendak Community School (the)

What grades does Maurice Sendak Community School (the) serve?

Maurice Sendak Community School (the) serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Maurice Sendak Community School (the)?

Maurice Sendak Community School (the) has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Maurice Sendak Community School (the)?

The student-teacher ratio at Maurice Sendak Community School (the) is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Maurice Sendak Community School (the) rank in NY?

Maurice Sendak Community School (the) is ranked #25 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Maurice Sendak Community School (the)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Maurice Sendak Community School (the) has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Maurice Sendak Community School (the)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Maurice Sendak Community School (the) has 84.1% math proficiency and 87.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Maurice Sendak Community School (the) a charter school?

No, Maurice Sendak Community School (the) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Maurice Sendak Community School (the) a Title I school?

No, Maurice Sendak Community School (the) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Maurice Sendak Community School (the)?

18.6% of students at Maurice Sendak Community School (the) 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
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
91 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Compare This School

How does Maurice Sendak Community School (the) stack up?

PS 361 EAST FLATBUSH EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
9.3
PS 312 BERGEN BEACH
9.1
PS 121 NELSON A ROCKEFELLER
9.1
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.6%
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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