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Average

#2909 of 4,739 schools in NY

MS 35 Stephen Decatur

Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #16

272 MACDONOUGH ST, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Enrollment

177

Student-Teacher

6.6:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#371 of 570

public schools

New York middle schools

#382 of 785

In district

#11 of 23

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #16

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About MS 35 Stephen Decatur

MS 35 Stephen Decatur is a middle school in Brooklyn, New York, offering education to students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 177 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.6:1, the school provides a relatively small classroom environment that allows for individual attention. The teaching staff consists of 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each student’s learning journey.

MS 35 Stephen Decatur focuses on fostering a supportive community where students can grow and develop academically and socially. While the current academic performance shows room for improvement, with an ELA proficiency rate of 49% and math proficiency at 12%, the school is committed to enhancing its curriculum and teaching methods. Located in a bustling city setting within Brooklyn, MS 35 Stephen Decatur benefits from being part of a vibrant neighborhood that offers cultural and educational resources beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 177 students, MS 35 Stephen Decatur 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 MS 35 Stephen Decatur 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 6.6:1, MS 35 Stephen Decatur 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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg-34.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.6:1

MS 35 Stephen Decatur — Students at MS 35 Stephen Decatur score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 11.6%
School
State
33.6%
ELA Proficiency 49.4%
School
State
57.2%

Based on 10 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
28%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
52.3%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How MS 35 Stephen Decatur Compares

See how MS 35 Stephen Decatur performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in NY
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

272 MACDONOUGH ST, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering MS 35 Stephen Decatur may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LAUNCH EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BEDFORD STUYVESANT COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, MS 267 MATH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (rated 4.2/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.5 mi
School Distance Rating
BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.0 mi 7.9
BROOKLYN PROSPECT CHARTER SCHOOL - CSD 13.2 Brooklyn 0.2 mi 6.8
BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.4
RESEARCH AND SERVICE HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.4
NELSON MANDELA HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 8.2
PS 262 EL HAJJ MALIK EL SHABAZZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.8
PS 243 WEEKSVILLE SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.4 mi 5.4
LAUNCH EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.6
THE CO-OP SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.6
PS 308 CLARA CARDWELL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.4
EMBER CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.7
ACADEMY FOR HEALTH CAREERS Brooklyn 0.5 mi 8.6
PATHWAYS IN TECHNOLOGY EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL (P-TECH) Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.5
PS 44 MARCUS GARVEY Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.6
UNITY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL OF BROOKLYN Brooklyn 0.4 mi 8.3
MS 267 MATH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.2
LA CIMA CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.9
BEDFORD STUYVESANT COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.7
PS 21 CRISPUS ATTUCKS Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.6
PS 140 Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.1

Neighborhood 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 MS 35 Stephen Decatur 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
TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL New York, NY 5.9
BROOKLYN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPLORATION SCHOOL (BEES) Brooklyn, NY 6.0
UNION SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Union Springs, NY 6.0
MS 113 RONALD EDMONDS LEARNING CENTER Brooklyn, NY 5.8
NEW YORK CITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York, NY 5.8
ELIJAH STROUD MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about MS 35 Stephen Decatur

What grades does MS 35 Stephen Decatur serve?

MS 35 Stephen Decatur serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend MS 35 Stephen Decatur?

MS 35 Stephen Decatur has an enrollment of approximately 177 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 35 Stephen Decatur?

The student-teacher ratio at MS 35 Stephen Decatur is 6.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does MS 35 Stephen Decatur rank in NY?

MS 35 Stephen Decatur is ranked #2909 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is MS 35 Stephen Decatur's MySchoolScout rating?

MS 35 Stephen Decatur 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 MS 35 Stephen Decatur?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 35 Stephen Decatur has 11.6% math proficiency and 49.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is MS 35 Stephen Decatur a charter school?

No, MS 35 Stephen Decatur is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is MS 35 Stephen Decatur a Title I school?

No, MS 35 Stephen Decatur is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 35 Stephen Decatur?

92.7% of students at MS 35 Stephen Decatur 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
177
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.7%
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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