Below Average
#4157 of 4,742 schools in NY
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13
170 GATES AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#4,157 of 4,742
In Brooklyn
#503 of 570
public schools
In district
#31 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13
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PS 56 Lewis H Latimer
Elementary School in Brooklyn · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Urban Assembly Unison School (the)
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bethel Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About PS 56 Lewis H Latimer
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer is a public elementary school in Brooklyn, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13. PS 56 Lewis H Latimer serves approximately 245 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. PS 56 Lewis H Latimer has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #4,157 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for PS 56 Lewis H Latimer show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 5.2
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at PS 56 Lewis H Latimer were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer — Students at PS 56 Lewis H Latimer score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 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: 4.0/10.
How PS 56 Lewis H Latimer Compares
See how PS 56 Lewis H Latimer performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
170 GATES AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 56 Lewis H Latimer may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 316 ELIJAH STROUD (rated 8.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 11 PURVIS J BEHAN (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11238 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,957
Median Home Value
$1,146,000
Median Rent
$2,511/mo
Population
58,462
College Educated
71.2%
Homeownership
28.1%
Avg Commute
38.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
35.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARBOR HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany, NY | 4.1 |
| BRIGHTER CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BOYS Albany, NY | 4.1 |
| DEPOSIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Deposit, NY | 4.1 |
| EAST COLDENHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newburgh, NY | 4.1 |
| EAST HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Camillus, NY | 4.1 |
| HOLLAND PATENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holland Patent, NY | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 56 Lewis H Latimer
What grades does PS 56 Lewis H Latimer serve?
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend PS 56 Lewis H Latimer?
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 56 Lewis H Latimer?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 56 Lewis H Latimer is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 56 Lewis H Latimer rank in NY?
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer ranks #4,157 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is PS 56 Lewis H Latimer's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 56 Lewis H Latimer has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at PS 56 Lewis H Latimer?
Based on loaded state assessment records, PS 56 Lewis H Latimer has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is PS 56 Lewis H Latimer a charter school?
No, PS 56 Lewis H Latimer is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 56 Lewis H Latimer a Title I school?
No, PS 56 Lewis H Latimer is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 56 Lewis H Latimer?
41.2% of students at PS 56 Lewis H Latimer 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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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 245
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.9%
- Phone
- (718) 857-3149
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #13- District Enrollment
- 19,232
- Schools in District
- 41
- District Rank
- #31 of 40
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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