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Very Good

#871 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 18% in state

PS 39 Henry Bristow

Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15

417 6TH AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Enrollment

360

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brooklyn

#120 of 570

public schools

New York elementary schools

#561 of 2,549

In district

#17 of 49

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About PS 39 Henry Bristow

PS 39 Henry Bristow stands out as an exceptional elementary school serving 360 students in grades K-5 in Brooklyn's affluent Park Slope neighborhood. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranking #171 among New York's 4,758 schools, this public school delivers outstanding academic results that place it in the 96th percentile statewide. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 94% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 90% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These strong outcomes reflect both excellent instruction and the supportive educational environment, enhanced by a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.3 to 1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. PS 39 Henry Bristow serves a highly educated community where 80% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $173,899. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 5.9% and median home values of nearly $1.6 million indicate a stable, resource-rich environment that strongly supports student achievement.

Located on 6th Avenue in one of Brooklyn's most desirable neighborhoods, PS 39 Henry Bristow benefits from being part of a vibrant urban community that values education and provides students with access to the cultural and educational resources of New York City.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency95%
Math vs. State Avg+31 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.1 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1

PS 39 Henry Bristow — Students at PS 39 Henry Bristow score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 88.1%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 94.0%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
88.4%
ELA
94.5%

* 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 39 Henry Bristow Compares

See how PS 39 Henry Bristow performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
82th percentile in NY
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

417 6TH AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering PS 39 Henry Bristow may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MAURICE SENDAK COMMUNITY SCHOOL (THE) (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 282 PARK SLOPE (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MAGNET SCHOOL OF MATH SCIENCE & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY (rated 7.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.6 mi
School Distance Rating
MS 51 WILLIAM ALEXANDER Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.0
JOHN JAY SCHOOL FOR LAW Brooklyn 0.2 mi 7.1
PARK SLOPE COLLEGIATE Brooklyn 0.2 mi 7.8
CYBERARTS STUDIO ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.2 mi 6.2
MILLENNIUM BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.2 mi 8.2
MAURICE SENDAK COMMUNITY SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.3 mi 9.2
PS 321 WILLIAM PENN Brooklyn 0.3 mi 6.0
PS 107 JOHN W KIMBALL Brooklyn 0.4 mi 7.5
ST SAVIOUR HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.3 mi 7.3
AL-MADINAH SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.5 mi 6.0
PS 124 SILAS B DUTCHER Brooklyn 0.4 mi 5.5
PS 372 CHILDREN'S SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.5
MAGNET SCHOOL OF MATH SCIENCE & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.8
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.7
PS 282 PARK SLOPE Brooklyn 0.6 mi 8.5
PS 295 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 6.2
JHS 88 PETER ROUGET Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.9
NEW VOICES SCHOOL OF ACADEMIC AND CREATIVE ARTS Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.6
PS 53 Brooklyn 0.6 mi 7.1
HELLENIC CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn 0.6 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$180,773

Median Home Value

$1,674,700

Median Rent

$2,803/mo

Population

70,922

College Educated

80.2%

Homeownership

40.9%

Avg Commute

38.5 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding PS 39 Henry Bristow has a median household income of $180,773. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,674,700, with a median rent of $2,803/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 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
ALLEN CREEK SCHOOL Rochester, NY 7.7
ANTHONY ALFANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central Islip, NY 7.7
CAMP AVENUE SCHOOL Merrick, NY 7.7
COMMUNITY ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 7.7
ELIZABETH CADY STANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seneca Falls, NY 7.7
FLOYD BELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kirkwood, NY 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PS 39 Henry Bristow

What grades does PS 39 Henry Bristow serve?

PS 39 Henry Bristow serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend PS 39 Henry Bristow?

PS 39 Henry Bristow has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 39 Henry Bristow?

The student-teacher ratio at PS 39 Henry Bristow is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does PS 39 Henry Bristow rank in NY?

PS 39 Henry Bristow is ranked #871 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is PS 39 Henry Bristow's MySchoolScout rating?

PS 39 Henry Bristow has a composite rating of 7.7 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 39 Henry Bristow?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 39 Henry Bristow has 88.1% math proficiency and 94.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is PS 39 Henry Bristow a charter school?

No, PS 39 Henry Bristow is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is PS 39 Henry Bristow a Title I school?

No, PS 39 Henry Bristow is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 39 Henry Bristow?

16.1% of students at PS 39 Henry Bristow qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
87 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Kings County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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