Excellent
#151 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 3% in state
PS 397 Foster-laurie
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17
490 FENIMORE ST, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#21 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#107 of 2,549
In district
#2 of 49
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 397 Foster-laurie
PS 397 Foster-laurie is a public elementary school in Brooklyn, NY, part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17. The school serves approximately 167 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 96.8th percentile among NY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 47% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 75% in reading/language arts, 18 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $68,028, where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 167 students, PS 397 Foster-laurie 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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PS 397 Foster-laurie — Students at PS 397 Foster-laurie score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.8%
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: 9.2/10.
How PS 397 Foster-laurie Compares
See how PS 397 Foster-laurie 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 47% (2019) to 84.5% (2021).
Location
490 FENIMORE ST, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 397 Foster-laurie may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 141 (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is GAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, PS 161 CROWN (THE) (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DARCHAI MENACHEM INC Brooklyn | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE-HEROES OF TOMORROW Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| SCHOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (THE) Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| BROOKLYN INSTITUTE FOR LIBERAL ARTS Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| MARY BOBB LEARNING ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | — |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| MS 61 DR GLADSTONE H ATWELL Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| PARKSIDE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 141 Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| EXPLORE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| BNOS CHOMESH Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| LEFFERTS GARDEN MONTESSORI Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LEFFERTS GARDEN II Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | — |
| PS 235 JANICE MARIE KNIGHT SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| PS 91 ALBANY AVENUE SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 4.0 |
| GAN ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| PS 161 CROWN (THE) Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-CROWN HEIGHTS Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| BETH RIVKA HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| PS 92 ADRIAN HEGEMAN Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood 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 397 Foster-laurie 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 |
|---|---|
| IDLE HOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oakdale, NY | 8.7 |
| LIVINGSTON MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Livingston Manor, NY | 8.7 |
| PS 245 Brooklyn, NY | 8.7 |
| PS 287 BAILEY K ASHFORD Brooklyn, NY | 8.7 |
| PS 61 FRANCISCO OLLER Bronx, NY | 8.7 |
| 47 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LOWER SCHOOL (THE) New York, NY | 8.6 |
Compare PS 397 Foster-laurie with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 397 Foster-laurie
What grades does PS 397 Foster-laurie serve?
PS 397 Foster-laurie serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 397 Foster-laurie?
PS 397 Foster-laurie has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 397 Foster-laurie?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 397 Foster-laurie is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 397 Foster-laurie rank in NY?
PS 397 Foster-laurie is ranked #151 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 397 Foster-laurie's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 397 Foster-laurie has a composite rating of 8.7 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 397 Foster-laurie?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 397 Foster-laurie has 46.9% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 397 Foster-laurie a charter school?
No, PS 397 Foster-laurie is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 397 Foster-laurie a Title I school?
No, PS 397 Foster-laurie is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 397 Foster-laurie?
80.8% of students at PS 397 Foster-laurie 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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Compare This School
How does PS 397 Foster-laurie stack up?
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 167
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 774-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #17- District Enrollment
- 17,805
- Schools in District
- 49
- District Rank
- #2 of 49
Compare This School
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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