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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1

PS 120 Carlos Tapia — Students at PS 120 Carlos Tapia score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.6%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 34.6%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
25.3%
ELA
34%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in NY
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
OHEL CHAYZ DBA TIFERES MORDECHEI CENTER FOR INTERG Brooklyn 0.1 mi 4.7
WILLIAMSBURG CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 4.8
PS 257 JOHN F HYLAN Brooklyn 0.2 mi 6.9
PS 145 ANDREW JACKSON Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.2
BEDFORD STUYVESANT NEW BEGINNINGS CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 5.5
PS 59 THE DAWN BEST SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 4.0
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-BED STUY 2 Brooklyn 0.4 mi 4.4
BRIGHTER CHOICE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.6
PS 373 BROOKLYN TRANSITION CENTER Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.1
PS 81 THADDEUS STEVENS Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.0
PS 196 TEN EYCK Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.4
MS 582 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 4.4
PS 147 ISSAC REMSEN Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.8
YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SCHOOL OF BROOKLYN Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.8
BROWNSVILLE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 3.9
PS 25 EUBIE BLAKE SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.6
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-BED STUY 3 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 4.7
PS 250 GEORGE H LINDSAY Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.8
PS 368 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.1
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL - BED STUY 1 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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