Average
#3108 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 503 School of Discovery (the)
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #20
330 59TH ST, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#396 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,701 of 2,549
In district
#42 of 45
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #20
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 503 School of Discovery (the)
PS 503 School of Discovery is an elementary school nestled in Brooklyn, New York. Spanning kindergarten through fifth grade, the school serves a diverse community with an enrollment of 586 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1 and 65 full-time equivalent teachers, PS 503 offers a supportive learning environment that encourages individual attention and growth.
Academically, PS 503 has room for improvement, ranking at the 20th percentile among New York state schools. The MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 reflects areas where the school is focusing on student development, particularly in ELA/Reading with 46% proficiency and Math with 27% proficiency. Despite these challenges, PS 503 remains committed to nurturing young minds within a large city setting that offers unique opportunities for learning.
PS 503 School of Discovery is situated in the heart of Brooklyn, surrounded by dynamic neighborhoods where students can experience a rich tapestry of cultural and educational resources.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, PS 503 School of Discovery (the) 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
PS 503 School of Discovery (the) — Students at PS 503 School of Discovery (the) score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.9%
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
↓ 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: 5.2/10.
How PS 503 School of Discovery (the) Compares
See how PS 503 School of Discovery (the) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
330 59TH ST, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 503 School of Discovery (the) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 506 SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND TECHNOLOGY (THE) (rated 7.5/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is SUNSET SCHOOL OF CULTURAL LEARNING (rated 7.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUNSET PARK AVENUES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,201
Median Home Value
$1,021,200
Median Rent
$1,688/mo
Population
90,792
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
27.6%
Avg Commute
43.6 min
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 503 School of Discovery (the) has a median household income of $64,201. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,021,200, with a median rent of $1,688/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 44 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 |
|---|---|
| ACE ACADEMY FOR SCHOLARS AT THE GERALDINE FERRARO CAMPUS Ridgewood, NY | 5.7 |
| AKRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Akron, NY | 5.7 |
| BNOS MALKA ACADEMY Forest Hills, NY | 5.7 |
| CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica, NY | 5.7 |
| COMMACK ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Islip, NY | 5.7 |
| DUANESBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Delanson, NY | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 503 School of Discovery (the)
What grades does PS 503 School of Discovery (the) serve?
PS 503 School of Discovery (the) serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend PS 503 School of Discovery (the)?
PS 503 School of Discovery (the) has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 503 School of Discovery (the)?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 503 School of Discovery (the) is 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 503 School of Discovery (the) rank in NY?
PS 503 School of Discovery (the) is ranked #3108 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 503 School of Discovery (the)'s MySchoolScout rating?
PS 503 School of Discovery (the) has a composite rating of 5.7 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 503 School of Discovery (the)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 503 School of Discovery (the) has 27.4% math proficiency and 45.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 503 School of Discovery (the) a charter school?
No, PS 503 School of Discovery (the) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 503 School of Discovery (the) a Title I school?
No, PS 503 School of Discovery (the) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 503 School of Discovery (the)?
95.9% of students at PS 503 School of Discovery (the) 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 586
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 439-5962
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #20- District Enrollment
- 46,673
- Schools in District
- 45
- District Rank
- #42 of 45
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.