Average
#2501 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 268 Emma Lazarus
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #18
133 E 53RD ST, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#330 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,408 of 2,549
In district
#20 of 33
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #18
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 268 Emma Lazarus
PS 268 Emma Lazarus is an elementary school located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, PS 268 has a total enrollment of 269 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public institution within a large city setting.
While the MySchoolScout rating for PS 268 stands at 3.3 out of 10, placing it in the 14th percentile among New York State schools, the focus is on continuous improvement and student development. Academically, students achieve proficiency rates of 37% in ELA/reading and 35% in math across all grades, indicating areas for growth but also room for advancement. PS 268 Emma Lazarus is situated within a vibrant urban environment that offers diverse opportunities for learning and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at PS 268 Emma Lazarus are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, PS 268 Emma Lazarus 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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Data not available for this school
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PS 268 Emma Lazarus — Students at PS 268 Emma Lazarus score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 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: 6.8/10.
How PS 268 Emma Lazarus Compares
See how PS 268 Emma Lazarus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
133 E 53RD ST, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 268 Emma Lazarus may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 219 KENNEDY-KING (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 244 RICHARD R GREEN (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PS 770 NEW AMERICAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.6 miNeighborhood 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 268 Emma Lazarus 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 |
|---|---|
| ANN MACARTHUR PRIMARY Locust Valley, NY | 6.3 |
| CAROLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Slaterville Springs, NY | 6.3 |
| COURT STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lancaster, NY | 6.3 |
| DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Ozone Park, NY | 6.3 |
| DIVINE WISDOM CATHOLIC ACADEMY Bayside, NY | 6.3 |
| EAST SYRACUSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Syracuse, NY | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 268 Emma Lazarus
What grades does PS 268 Emma Lazarus serve?
PS 268 Emma Lazarus serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 268 Emma Lazarus?
PS 268 Emma Lazarus has an enrollment of approximately 269 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 268 Emma Lazarus?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 268 Emma Lazarus is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 268 Emma Lazarus rank in NY?
PS 268 Emma Lazarus is ranked #2501 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 268 Emma Lazarus's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 268 Emma Lazarus has a composite rating of 6.3 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 268 Emma Lazarus?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 268 Emma Lazarus has 35.3% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 268 Emma Lazarus a charter school?
No, PS 268 Emma Lazarus is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 268 Emma Lazarus a Title I school?
No, PS 268 Emma Lazarus is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 268 Emma Lazarus?
89.6% of students at PS 268 Emma Lazarus 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
- 269
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 773-5332
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #18- District Enrollment
- 11,223
- Schools in District
- 34
- District Rank
- #20 of 33
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
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- 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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