Excellent
#68 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 1% in state
MS 839
Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15
713 CATON AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11218
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#9 of 570
public schools
New York middle schools
#6 of 785
In district
#3 of 49
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About MS 839
MS 839 is a public middle school in Brooklyn, New York, serving grades 6 through 8 with 305 students enrolled. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — driven by an academic score of 8.3 and a near-perfect growth score of 9.9. Growth measures how much students advance over the course of the year, regardless of where they start, and a 9.9 is about as high as that number goes.
The rankings put those scores in context. MS 839 places 6th out of 785 middle schools in New York State, and 9th out of 570 schools in Brooklyn — outperforming 99% of public schools statewide. Only five middle schools in the entire state rank higher.
The student-teacher ratio sits at 10.5 to 1. With 305 students across three grade levels, the school operates at a scale where individual attention is realistic. For families comparing middle school options in Brooklyn or across New York, MS 839 lands at the very top of what public education in the state offers on academic performance and student growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
MS 839 — Students at MS 839 score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How MS 839 Compares
See how MS 839 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 75% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 75% (2021).
Location
713 CATON AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11218
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering MS 839 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MS 442 CARROLL GARDENS SCHOOL FOR INNOVATION (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is JHS 62 DITMAS (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, MS 890 (rated 5.6/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BROOKLYN COLLEGE ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| PS 130 PARKSIDE (THE) Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| PS 889 Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| MS 890 Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| YESHIVAT SHAARE TORAH GIRLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| BROOKLYN PROSPECT CHARTER SCHOOL - CSD 15.2 Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 8.8 |
| PS 249 CATON (THE) Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| PS 230 DORIS L COHEN Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| PS 179 KENSINGTON Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| JHS 62 DITMAS Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| WINDSOR TERRACE SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| CORTELYOU EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | — |
| PS 139 ALEXINE A FENTY Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| BNOS YERUSMALAYIM Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| YESHIVA BONIM LAMOKOM Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| PS 245 Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| GAN YISROEL Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| UNITED TALMUDIAL ACADEMY OF BORO PARK Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| MS 442 CARROLL GARDENS SCHOOL FOR INNOVATION Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,916
Median Home Value
$914,300
Median Rent
$1,966/mo
Population
71,313
College Educated
51%
Homeownership
37.9%
Avg Commute
40.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding MS 839 has a median household income of $95,916. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $914,300, with a median rent of $1,966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| SCHOOL OF INTEGRATED LEARNING (THE) Brooklyn, NY | 9.1 |
| IRVINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Irvington, NY | 8.7 |
| BLIND BROOK-RYE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rye Brook, NY | 8.6 |
| BULKELEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Rhinebeck, NY | 9.4 |
| ORVILLE A TODD MIDDLE SCHOOL Poughkeepsie, NY | 8.6 |
| SCHOOL FOR INQUIRY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (THE) Bronx, NY | 8.6 |
Compare MS 839 with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MS 839
What grades does MS 839 serve?
MS 839 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend MS 839?
MS 839 has an enrollment of approximately 305 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 839?
The student-teacher ratio at MS 839 is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does MS 839 rank in NY?
MS 839 is ranked #68 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is MS 839's MySchoolScout rating?
MS 839 has a composite rating of 9.0 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 839?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 839 has 70.5% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is MS 839 a charter school?
No, MS 839 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is MS 839 a Title I school?
No, MS 839 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 839?
43.6% of students at MS 839 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 305
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 686-2730
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15- District Enrollment
- 26,808
- Schools in District
- 49
- District Rank
- #3 of 49
Compare This School
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
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- 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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