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Very Good

#1194 of 4,742 schools in NY

Top 25% in state

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21

5301 20TH AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11204

Enrollment

299

Student-Teacher

7.7:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#1,194 of 4,742

In Brooklyn

#133 of 570

public schools

In district

#11 of 40

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller

7.5/10

Elementary School in Brooklyn · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

PS 361 East Flatbush Early Childhood School

5.8/10

BROOKLYN, NY. Compare side by side with PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller before ruling this option in or out.

PS 312 Bergen Beach

6.5/10

Brooklyn, NY. Compare side by side with PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller before ruling this option in or out.

About PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller is a public elementary school in Brooklyn, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21. PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller serves approximately 299 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,194 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.9
  • NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

At 7.7:1 students to teachers, PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

35% of students at PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.7:1
Chronic Absenteeism35.1%

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller — Students at PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.3% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 60.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
62.6% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 32 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
52.8%
ELA
91%
2022
Math
46.9%
ELA
57.9%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller Compares

See how PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in NY
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

Location

5301 20TH AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 134 (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEEALL ACADEMY (THE) (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 192 MAGNET SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE INQUIRY (THE) (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.6 mi
School Distance Rating
BARKAI FOUNDATION INC. Brooklyn 0.1 mi 7.3
YESHIVA & MESIFTA CHASAN SOFER Brooklyn 0.2 mi 5.4
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 6.5
TALMUD TORAH OF BOBOV 45 Brooklyn 0.3 mi 4.9
TALMUD TORAH IMREI CHAIM Brooklyn 0.3 mi 5.3
YESHIVA KARLIN STOLIN Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.4
PS 192 MAGNET SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE INQUIRY (THE) Brooklyn 0.4 mi 8.1
BAIS YAAKOV OF 18TH AVE Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.5
BETH JACOB DAY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.9
BAIS YAAKOV D'RAV MEIR HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.7
PS 226 ALFRED DE B MASON Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.3
PS 48 MAPLETON Brooklyn 0.5 mi 7.1
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF NEW YORK CITY Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.0
YESHIVA & MISIVTA TIFERES ELIMELECH Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.7
IVDU SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi
PS 134 Brooklyn 0.7 mi 8.9
NESIVOS BAIS YAAKOV Brooklyn 0.7 mi 5.6
BNOS YAAKOV Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.6
SEEALL ACADEMY (THE) Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.3
PS 231 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,588

Median Home Value

$1,097,200

Median Rent

$1,751/mo

Population

81,368

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

35.3%

Avg Commute

40.6 min

Poverty Rate

20.2%

Median Age

34.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BEDFORD HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bedford Hills, NY 7.5
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 7.5
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall On Hudson, NY 7.5
ELBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elbridge, NY 7.5
FLOWER HILL SCHOOL Huntington, NY 7.5
GRAND AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Baldwin, NY 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller

What grades does PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller serve?

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller?

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller rank in NY?

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller ranks #1,194 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller?

Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller a charter school?

No, PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller a Title I school?

No, PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller?

78.3% of students at PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller 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
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
91 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does PS 121 Nelson a Rockefeller stack up?

PS 361 EAST FLATBUSH EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
5.8
PS 312 BERGEN BEACH
6.5
MAURICE SENDAK COMMUNITY SCHOOL (THE)
7.3
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Kings County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

District

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
District Enrollment
34,525
Schools in District
40
District Rank
#11 of 40

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