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Average

#2511 of 4,739 schools in NY

PS 159 Isaac Pitkin

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #19

2781 PITKIN AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11208

Enrollment

611

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#333 of 570

public schools

New York elementary schools

#1,412 of 2,549

In district

#31 of 52

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #19

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About PS 159 Isaac Pitkin

PS 159 ISAAC PITKIN is an elementary school located in Brooklyn, New York. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 611 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers. PS 159 focuses on providing a solid educational foundation for its young learners.

Academically, PS 159 is ranked in the 39th percentile among New York state schools, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.3 out of 10. Students at PS 159 perform around average for their grade level, with 50% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, and 43% meeting the standards in math. While these scores indicate areas where improvement is needed, they also highlight opportunities for growth and development.

PS 159 ISAAC PITKIN is situated in a bustling urban setting within Brooklyn, offering students a vibrant community atmosphere that includes various cultural and educational resources nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1

PS 159 Isaac Pitkin — Students at PS 159 Isaac Pitkin score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 43.2%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 49.6%
School
State
57.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
45%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
42.8%
ELA
50.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How PS 159 Isaac Pitkin Compares

See how PS 159 Isaac Pitkin performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in NY
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

2781 PITKIN AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 159 Isaac Pitkin may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 224 HALE A WOODRUFF (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 214 MICHAEL FRIEDSAM (rated 7.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EAST NEW YORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE (rated 5.9/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CYPRESS HILLS ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 2.3
TRANSIT TECH CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.5
PS 214 MICHAEL FRIEDSAM Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.7
BROOKLYN SCHOLARS CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.1
JHS 218 JAMES P SINNOTT Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.8
SCHOOL FOR CLASSICS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.9
PS 938 Brooklyn 0.5 mi 5.0
MS 935 Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.6
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.4
IS 171 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Brooklyn 0.7 mi 8.3
HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.7 mi 7.0
PS 345 PATROLMAN ROBERT BOLDEN Brooklyn 0.5 mi 4.5
EAST NEW YORK MIDDLE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Brooklyn 0.7 mi 4.2
EAST NEW YORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Brooklyn 0.7 mi 5.9
PS 224 HALE A WOODRUFF Brooklyn 0.8 mi 8.2
PS 202 ERNEST S JENKYNS Brooklyn 0.8 mi 5.1
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST ASPIRE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.8 mi 5.0
EAST BROOKLYN ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL (EBACS) Brooklyn 0.7 mi 4.7
PS 7 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Brooklyn 0.9 mi 4.2
PS 65 Brooklyn 0.9 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,988

Median Home Value

$638,200

Median Rent

$1,563/mo

Population

106,901

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

25.9%

Avg Commute

45.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 159 Isaac Pitkin has a median household income of $59,988. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $638,200, with a median rent of $1,563/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 45 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
A F PALMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / WINDSOR CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Windsor, NY 6.3
ALICE E GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elmsford, NY 6.3
BOONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boonville, NY 6.3
FOSTERTOWN SCHOOL Newburgh, NY 6.3
GLENCLIFF SCHOOL Rexford, NY 6.3
HERBERT HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 159 Isaac Pitkin

What grades does PS 159 Isaac Pitkin serve?

PS 159 Isaac Pitkin serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend PS 159 Isaac Pitkin?

PS 159 Isaac Pitkin has an enrollment of approximately 611 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 159 Isaac Pitkin?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 159 Isaac Pitkin is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 159 Isaac Pitkin rank in NY?

PS 159 Isaac Pitkin is ranked #2511 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 159 Isaac Pitkin's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 159 Isaac Pitkin has a composite rating of 6.3 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 159 Isaac Pitkin?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 159 Isaac Pitkin has 43.2% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 159 Isaac Pitkin a charter school?

No, PS 159 Isaac Pitkin is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 159 Isaac Pitkin a Title I school?

No, PS 159 Isaac Pitkin is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 159 Isaac Pitkin?

94.9% of students at PS 159 Isaac Pitkin 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
611
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
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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