Average
#3499 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 120 Carlos Tapia
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14
18 BEAVER ST, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#434 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,883 of 2,549
In district
#32 of 38
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14
About PS 120 Carlos Tapia
PS 120 Carlos Tapia is an elementary school located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, PS 120 has a student population of 291 and maintains a healthy student-to-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a bustling urban setting, offering a diverse array of cultural experiences for its students.
Academically, PS 120 Carlos Tapia focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where every child can grow and develop their skills. According to the MySchoolScout rating system, the school ranks at 3.1 out of 10, placing it in the 11th percentile among New York state schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 26% are proficient or above in Math.
These numbers indicate areas where PS 120 Carlos Tapia is working to improve academic performance while nurturing the holistic development of its young learners. PS 120 Carlos Tapia is a vibrant part of Brooklyn’s educational landscape, serving students from various backgrounds within this dynamic city setting.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 120 Carlos Tapia 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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PS 120 Carlos Tapia — Students at PS 120 Carlos Tapia score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 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: 6.3/10.
How PS 120 Carlos Tapia Compares
See how PS 120 Carlos Tapia performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
18 BEAVER ST, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 120 Carlos Tapia may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 147 ISSAC REMSEN (rated 8.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 250 GEORGE H LINDSAY (rated 8.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 25 EUBIE BLAKE SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,280
Median Home Value
$822,100
Median Rent
$1,558/mo
Population
89,231
College Educated
36.3%
Homeownership
10.9%
Avg Commute
36.5 min
Poverty Rate
33.1%
Median Age
30.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 120 Carlos Tapia has a median household income of $57,280. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $822,100, with a median rent of $1,558/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| BROWNVILLE SCHOOL Brownville, NY | 5.3 |
| CLINTON AVENUE SCHOOL Port Jefferson Station, NY | 5.3 |
| ELLIS B HYDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dansville, NY | 5.3 |
| GENESEE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 5.3 |
| GOV GEORGE CLINTON SCHOOL Poughkeepsie, NY | 5.3 |
| HARRY M FISHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mohawk, NY | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 120 Carlos Tapia
What grades does PS 120 Carlos Tapia serve?
PS 120 Carlos Tapia serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 120 Carlos Tapia?
PS 120 Carlos Tapia has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 120 Carlos Tapia?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 120 Carlos Tapia is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 120 Carlos Tapia rank in NY?
PS 120 Carlos Tapia is ranked #3499 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 120 Carlos Tapia's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 120 Carlos Tapia has a composite rating of 5.3 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 120 Carlos Tapia?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 120 Carlos Tapia has 25.6% math proficiency and 34.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 120 Carlos Tapia a charter school?
No, PS 120 Carlos Tapia is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 120 Carlos Tapia a Title I school?
No, PS 120 Carlos Tapia is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 120 Carlos Tapia?
95.2% of students at PS 120 Carlos Tapia 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 291
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 455-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14- District Enrollment
- 15,196
- Schools in District
- 38
- District Rank
- #32 of 38
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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- 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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