Average
#2116 of 4,742 schools in NY
Top 45% in state
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
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
177
Student-Teacher
6.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#2,116 of 4,742
In Brooklyn
#272 of 570
public schools
In district
#7 of 23
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #16
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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MS 35 Stephen Decatur
Middle School in Brooklyn · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Brooklyn Brownstone School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School - CSD 13.2
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About MS 35 Stephen Decatur
MS 35 Stephen Decatur is a public middle school in Brooklyn, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #16. MS 35 Stephen Decatur serves approximately 177 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 6.6:1 student-teacher ratio. MS 35 Stephen Decatur has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,116 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for MS 35 Stephen Decatur show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- NY avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 177 students, MS 35 Stephen Decatur is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 6.6:1 students to teachers, MS 35 Stephen Decatur sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
48% of students at MS 35 Stephen Decatur were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
MS 35 Stephen Decatur — Students at MS 35 Stephen Decatur score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 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: 7.3/10.
How MS 35 Stephen Decatur Compares
See how MS 35 Stephen Decatur performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MS 267 MATH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (rated 6.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BEDFORD STUYVESANT COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 miNeighborhood 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| IS 528 BEA FULLER RODGERS SCHOOL New York, NY | 6.5 |
| MADIBA PREP MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 6.5 |
| NEW YORK CITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New York, NY | 6.5 |
| SOUTH BRONX INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 6.5 |
| BLOOMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL Bloomfield, NY | 6.6 |
| IS 584 Bronx, NY | 6.4 |
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 ranks #2,116 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is MS 35 Stephen Decatur's MySchoolScout rating?
MS 35 Stephen Decatur has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at MS 35 Stephen Decatur?
Based on loaded state assessment records, MS 35 Stephen Decatur has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.5%
- Phone
- (718) 574-2345
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #16- District Enrollment
- 5,827
- Schools in District
- 23
- District Rank
- #7 of 23
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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