Very Good
#1182 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 25% in state
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15
314 PACIFIC ST, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#164 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#745 of 2,549
In district
#24 of 49
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About PS 261 Zipporiah Mills
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills is an elementary school located in Brooklyn, New York. With a student population of 591 and a low student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The faculty consists of 44 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
PS 261 has received a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and is ranked as the 1817th best school in New York state, placing it in the 62nd percentile. Academically, the school scores an average of 6.6/10, with 76% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading skills. In mathematics, however, only 46% are proficient or above, indicating areas where additional support may be needed.
PS 261 is situated in a bustling urban environment within the heart of Brooklyn, offering students access to diverse cultural and community resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills — Students at PS 261 Zipporiah Mills score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.3%
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
↑ 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: 8.3/10.
How PS 261 Zipporiah Mills Compares
See how PS 261 Zipporiah Mills performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 44.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 84.5% (2021).
Location
314 PACIFIC ST, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 261 Zipporiah Mills may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 38 PACIFIC (THE) (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is A FANTIS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BROOKLYN PROSPECT CHARTER SCHOOL-CSD 13 (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly 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 11201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$169,285
Median Home Value
$1,131,700
Median Rent
$3,207/mo
Population
69,251
College Educated
79.2%
Homeownership
35.5%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 261 Zipporiah Mills has a median household income of $169,285. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,131,700, with a median rent of $3,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AQUEBOGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aquebogue, NY | 7.4 |
| C E WALTERS SCHOOL Yaphank, NY | 7.4 |
| CAMPBELL-SAVONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Savona, NY | 7.4 |
| CANTIAGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jericho, NY | 7.4 |
| COLONIAL VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY | 7.4 |
| COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Thornwood, NY | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 261 Zipporiah Mills
What grades does PS 261 Zipporiah Mills serve?
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 261 Zipporiah Mills?
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills has an enrollment of approximately 591 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 261 Zipporiah Mills?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 261 Zipporiah Mills is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 261 Zipporiah Mills rank in NY?
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills is ranked #1182 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 261 Zipporiah Mills's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 261 Zipporiah Mills has a composite rating of 7.4 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 261 Zipporiah Mills?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 261 Zipporiah Mills has 45.5% math proficiency and 75.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 261 Zipporiah Mills a charter school?
No, PS 261 Zipporiah Mills is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 261 Zipporiah Mills a Title I school?
No, PS 261 Zipporiah Mills is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 261 Zipporiah Mills?
31.3% of students at PS 261 Zipporiah Mills 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 591
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 330-9275
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15- District Enrollment
- 26,808
- Schools in District
- 49
- District Rank
- #24 of 49
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.