Needs Improvement
#4567 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13
114 KOSCIUSKO ST, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#559 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,420 of 2,549
In district
#40 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 256 Benjamin Banneker
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is an elementary school in Brooklyn, New York, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 199 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, the school benefits from personalized attention for its young learners. PS 256 has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to educating children in a large city setting.
The academic performance at PS 256 shows that there is room for improvement; currently, only 27% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 14% meet proficiency standards in math. The MySchoolScout rating reflects this with an overall score of 2.1 out of 10, placing the school near the bottom among New York's elementary schools. Despite these challenges, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker offers a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development for its students in Brooklyn's dynamic community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 199 students, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 256 Benjamin Banneker — Students at PS 256 Benjamin Banneker score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 9 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How PS 256 Benjamin Banneker Compares
See how PS 256 Benjamin Banneker performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
114 KOSCIUSKO ST, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 256 Benjamin Banneker may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 25 EUBIE BLAKE SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 297 ABRAHAM STOCKTON (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 44 MARCUS GARVEY (rated 6.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,000
Median Home Value
$1,398,400
Median Rent
$2,180/mo
Population
59,913
College Educated
55.8%
Homeownership
23.3%
Avg Commute
42 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Median Age
34.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has a median household income of $95,000. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,398,400, with a median rent of $2,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute in the area is 42 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 |
|---|---|
| BRONX STEM AND ARTS ACADEMY (THE) Bronx, NY | 3.7 |
| HUGH W GREGG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Corning, NY | 3.7 |
| PS 44 DAVID C FARRAGUT Bronx, NY | 3.7 |
| STOREFRONT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 3.7 |
| WALES PRIMARY SCHOOL East Aurora, NY | 3.7 |
| WILLIAM C KEANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schenectady, NY | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 256 Benjamin Banneker
What grades does PS 256 Benjamin Banneker serve?
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 256 Benjamin Banneker?
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 256 Benjamin Banneker?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 256 Benjamin Banneker rank in NY?
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is ranked #4567 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 256 Benjamin Banneker's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has a composite rating of 3.7 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 256 Benjamin Banneker?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has 14.0% math proficiency and 27.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 256 Benjamin Banneker a charter school?
No, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 256 Benjamin Banneker a Title I school?
No, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 256 Benjamin Banneker?
95.0% of students at PS 256 Benjamin Banneker qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 199
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 857-9820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13- District Enrollment
- 19,232
- Schools in District
- 41
- District Rank
- #40 of 40
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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- 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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