Average
#3747 of 4,739 schools in NY
MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell
Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17
400 EMPIRE BLVD, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#461 of 570
public schools
New York middle schools
#570 of 785
In district
#36 of 49
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell
MS 61 DR GLADSTONE H ATWELL is a middle school located in Brooklyn, New York. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 320 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1 with 33 full-time teachers. The school's academic performance shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4618 out of 4758 schools in New York (placing it in the 3rd percentile).
In reading and ELA, 36% of students are proficient or above, while only 19% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, MS 61 continues to focus on supporting its students' development and growth. The school is situated in a large city setting, providing an urban educational experience for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell — Students at MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 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: 4.9/10.
How MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell Compares
See how MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
400 EMPIRE BLVD, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PS 397 FOSTER-LAURIE (rated 8.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HIGH SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE-HEROES OF TOMORROW (rated 7.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PS 161 CROWN (THE) Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-CROWN HEIGHTS Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| BETH RIVKA HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| BNOS CHOMESH Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| GAN ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| DARCHAI MENACHEM INC Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ST MARK'S DAY SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| MACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| PS 397 FOSTER-LAURIE Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 8.7 |
| MARY BOBB LEARNING ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | — |
| LEFFERTS GARDEN MONTESSORI Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LEFFERTS GARDEN II Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | — |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE-HEROES OF TOMORROW Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| SCHOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (THE) Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| BROOKLYN INSTITUTE FOR LIBERAL ARTS Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| PARKSIDE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 141 Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| EXPLORE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11225 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,201
Median Home Value
$1,218,300
Median Rent
$1,733/mo
Population
56,544
College Educated
48.1%
Homeownership
18.4%
Avg Commute
42 min
Poverty Rate
14.2%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell has a median household income of $85,201. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,218,300, with a median rent of $1,733/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute in the area is 42 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 |
|---|---|
| FRANKFORT-SCHUYLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Frankfort, NY | 5.0 |
| HAMILTON GRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New York, NY | 5.0 |
| IS 318 MATH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY THROUGH ARTS Bronx, NY | 5.0 |
| IS 68 ISAAC BILDERSEE Brooklyn, NY | 5.0 |
| LACKAWANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL Lackawanna, NY | 5.0 |
| MADIBA PREP MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell
What grades does MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell serve?
MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell?
MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell?
The student-teacher ratio at MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell rank in NY?
MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell is ranked #3747 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell's MySchoolScout rating?
MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell has a composite rating of 5.0 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 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell has 18.8% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell a charter school?
No, MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell a Title I school?
No, MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell?
88.4% of students at MS 61 Dr Gladstone H Atwell qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 320
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 774-1002
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17- District Enrollment
- 17,805
- Schools in District
- 49
- District Rank
- #36 of 49
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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