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Very Good

#1064 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 22% in state

PS 11 Purvis J Behan

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13

419 WAVERLY AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Enrollment

852

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#146 of 570

public schools

New York elementary schools

#672 of 2,549

In district

#17 of 40

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About PS 11 Purvis J Behan

PS 11 Purvis J Behan stands out as a high-performing elementary school in Brooklyn, serving 852 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 and 45 full-time equivalent teachers, the school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, ranking in the 92nd percentile statewide at #395 out of 4,758 New York elementary schools. The school's academic achievements are particularly impressive, with 87% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 84% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These strong performance metrics contribute to the school's 9.6 out of 10 academic score and overall 8.1 rating. PS 11 Purvis J Behan serves families in a well-educated, economically stable community where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $125,747. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.9%, creating an environment that supports educational achievement.

Located at 419 Waverly Avenue in the heart of Brooklyn, this regular public school operates within one of New York City's most vibrant boroughs, offering students access to both strong academic foundations and the rich cultural opportunities that come with big city living.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+4.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1

PS 11 Purvis J Behan — Students at PS 11 Purvis J Behan score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 81.8%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 85.0%
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
76%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
83.3%
ELA
87%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How PS 11 Purvis J Behan Compares

See how PS 11 Purvis J Behan performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
78th percentile in NY
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

419 WAVERLY AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 11 Purvis J Behan may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 20 CLINTON HILL (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is BROOKLYN WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.6 mi
School Distance Rating
BROOKLYN FREE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 5.5
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST ENDEAVOR CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 4.5
PS 753 SCHOOL FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.1
PS 56 LEWIS H LATIMER Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.6
URBAN ASSEMBLY UNISON SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.1
BETHEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi
MS 113 RONALD EDMONDS LEARNING CENTER Brooklyn 0.4 mi 5.8
COMPASS CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 6.9
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.2
PS 270 JOHANN DEKALB Brooklyn 0.4 mi 4.6
PS 9 SARAH SMITH GARNET SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.4
LURIA ACADEMY OF BROOKLYN Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.1
PS 20 CLINTON HILL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.8
GOTHAM PROFESSIONAL ARTS ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.5 mi 8.4
TRILOK SCHOOL AND TRILOK FUSION ARTS INC Brooklyn 0.6 mi
BROOKLYN WALDORF SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.4
IS 340 Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.8
BROOKLYN ARTS AND SCIENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 6.4
EXPLORE EXCEED CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 4.3
BROOKLYN COMMUNITY ARTS AND MEDIA HIGH SCHOOL (BCAM) Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11238 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,957

Median Home Value

$1,146,000

Median Rent

$2,511/mo

Population

58,462

College Educated

71.2%

Homeownership

28.1%

Avg Commute

38.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

35.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 11 Purvis J Behan has a median household income of $132,957. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,146,000, with a median rent of $2,511/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute in the area is 38 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
BARNUM WOODS SCHOOL East Meadow, NY 7.5
BLACK RIVER SCHOOL Black River, NY 7.5
BROOKLYN ARBOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 7.5
BURR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Commack, NY 7.5
CHEROKEE STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ronkonkoma, NY 7.5
HERKIMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Herkimer, NY 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 11 Purvis J Behan

What grades does PS 11 Purvis J Behan serve?

PS 11 Purvis J Behan serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 11 Purvis J Behan?

PS 11 Purvis J Behan has an enrollment of approximately 852 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 11 Purvis J Behan?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 11 Purvis J Behan is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 11 Purvis J Behan rank in NY?

PS 11 Purvis J Behan is ranked #1064 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 11 Purvis J Behan's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 11 Purvis J Behan has a composite rating of 7.5 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 PS 11 Purvis J Behan?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 11 Purvis J Behan has 81.8% math proficiency and 85.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 11 Purvis J Behan a charter school?

No, PS 11 Purvis J Behan is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 11 Purvis J Behan a Title I school?

No, PS 11 Purvis J Behan is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 11 Purvis J Behan?

33.6% of students at PS 11 Purvis J Behan 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
91 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
96 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
852
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
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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