Average
#1839 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 39% in state
PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #20
8601 RIDGE BLVD, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#243 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,068 of 2,549
In district
#20 of 45
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #20
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock
PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock serves 583 elementary students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Brooklyn's prosperous Bay Ridge neighborhood. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.2 to 1 and 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a supportive learning environment that has earned recognition as one of New York's higher-performing elementary schools. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #760 out of 4,758 New York elementary schools.
Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 74% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 68% in mathematics. This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence and earned it a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. Located at 8601 Ridge Boulevard, PS 185 serves families in the well-established Bay Ridge community, where the median household income is $88,546 and 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's stability is reflected in median home values of $935,000 and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.7%. This elementary school operates within Brooklyn's vibrant urban landscape, offering students the advantages of city resources while maintaining a strong community-focused educational environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock — Students at PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock Compares
See how PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 67% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 72% (2021).
Location
8601 RIDGE BLVD, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DIMITRIOS & GEORGIA KALOIDIS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PS 127 MCKINLEY PARK (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 264 BAY RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (rated 7.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,656
Median Home Value
$905,700
Median Rent
$1,857/mo
Population
70,756
College Educated
52.8%
Homeownership
35.8%
Avg Commute
44.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock has a median household income of $92,656. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $905,700, with a median rent of $1,857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| BROOKLYN SCHOOL OF INQUIRY Brooklyn, NY | 6.9 |
| CHARLES A UPSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lockport, NY | 6.9 |
| EDWARD WILLIAMS SCHOOL Mount Vernon, NY | 6.9 |
| GARDINER MANOR SCHOOL Bay Shore, NY | 6.9 |
| GUGGENHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Washington, NY | 6.9 |
| HEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williamsville, NY | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock
What grades does PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock serve?
PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock?
PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock has an enrollment of approximately 583 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock rank in NY?
PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock is ranked #1839 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock has a composite rating of 6.9 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 185 Walter Kassenbrock?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock has 68.4% math proficiency and 72.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock a charter school?
No, PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock a Title I school?
No, PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock?
45.1% of students at PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock 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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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 583
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 745-6610
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #20- District Enrollment
- 46,673
- Schools in District
- 45
- District Rank
- #20 of 45
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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