Needs Improvement
#4472 of 4,742 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
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,472 of 4,742
In Brooklyn
#537 of 570
public schools
In district
#35 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13
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PS 256 Benjamin Banneker
Elementary School in Brooklyn · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
PS 54 Samuel C Barnes
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Brooklyn Charter School (the)
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 256 Benjamin Banneker
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is a public elementary school in Brooklyn, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13. PS 256 Benjamin Banneker serves approximately 199 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #4,472 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 256 Benjamin Banneker show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.2
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 199 students, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 9.5:1 students to teachers, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
80% of students at PS 256 Benjamin Banneker 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker — Students at PS 256 Benjamin Banneker score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 33 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: 4.3/10.
How PS 256 Benjamin Banneker Compares
See how PS 256 Benjamin Banneker performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 297 ABRAHAM STOCKTON (rated 6.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-BED STUY 2 (rated 6.4/10, 0.6 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ABRAHAM WING SCHOOL Glens Falls, NY | 3.5 |
| BROCTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brocton, NY | 3.5 |
| ENFIELD SCHOOL Ithaca, NY | 3.5 |
| FLANDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Malone, NY | 3.5 |
| LITTLE WATER PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Poughkeepsie, NY | 3.5 |
| NORTH BROAD STREET SCHOOL Oneida, NY | 3.5 |
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 ranks #4,472 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 256 Benjamin Banneker's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 256 Benjamin Banneker?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 256 Benjamin Banneker has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 79.9%
- Phone
- (718) 857-9820
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13- District Enrollment
- 19,232
- Schools in District
- 41
- District Rank
- #35 of 40
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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