Excellent
#574 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 12% in state
PS 181
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17
1023 NEW YORK AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#78 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#372 of 2,549
In district
#6 of 49
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 181
PS 181 is an elementary school located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Serving a diverse range of students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, PS 181 offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 562 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1. The school boasts 49 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in the heart of a bustling city setting.
While PS 181 currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks at #3137 out of 4,758 schools statewide, the school is focused on continuous improvement. In terms of academic performance, 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, and 32% are proficient or above in math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to enhance student achievement.
PS 181's location within a vibrant city neighborhood offers numerous cultural and educational opportunities for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 181 — Students at PS 181 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 13 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How PS 181 Compares
See how PS 181 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 34.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 44.5% (2021).
Location
1023 NEW YORK AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 181 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 361 EAST FLATBUSH EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (rated 9.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 397 FOSTER-LAURIE (rated 8.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 141 (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PHYL'S ACADEMY PREP Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| PS 399 STANLEY EUGENE CLARKE Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 3.4 |
| BRYANS EDUCATIONAL CENTER Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | — |
| MS 246 WALT WHITMAN Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| EAST FLATBUSH ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL (EFACS) Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| PS 235 JANICE MARIE KNIGHT SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| FLATBUSH ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| CENTRAL BROOKLYN ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 2.5 |
| PARKSIDE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 141 Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| EXPLORE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| NORMA ADAMS CLEMONS ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| PS 361 EAST FLATBUSH EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 9.3 |
| PS 397 FOSTER-LAURIE Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| MARY BOBB LEARNING ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | — |
| DARCHAI MENACHEM INC Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE-HEROES OF TOMORROW Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| SCHOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (THE) Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| BROOKLYN INSTITUTE FOR LIBERAL ARTS Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| PS 92 ADRIAN HEGEMAN Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,028
Median Home Value
$677,700
Median Rent
$1,566/mo
Population
76,853
College Educated
25.9%
Homeownership
39.4%
Avg Commute
46 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 181 has a median household income of $68,028. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $677,700, with a median rent of $1,566/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute in the area is 46 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 |
|---|---|
| APALACHIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Apalachin, NY | 8.0 |
| BABYLON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Babylon, NY | 8.0 |
| BERRY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syosset, NY | 8.0 |
| CANAAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Patchogue, NY | 8.0 |
| COMAN HILL SCHOOL Armonk, NY | 8.0 |
| CONNETQUOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Islip Terrace, NY | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 181
What grades does PS 181 serve?
PS 181 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend PS 181?
PS 181 has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 181?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 181 is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 181 rank in NY?
PS 181 is ranked #574 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 181's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 181 has a composite rating of 8.0 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 181?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 181 has 31.9% math proficiency and 42.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 181 a charter school?
No, PS 181 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 181 a Title I school?
No, PS 181 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 181?
81.7% of students at PS 181 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 562
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 462-5298
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17- District Enrollment
- 17,805
- Schools in District
- 49
- District Rank
- #6 of 49
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
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- 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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