Below Average
#4145 of 4,739 schools in NY
Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14
850 KENT AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#507 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,172 of 2,549
In district
#34 of 38
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)
PS/IS 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy is a regular public school in Brooklyn, New York. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 244 students and maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 7.9:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4678 out of 4,758 schools in New York (2nd percentile), the school is focused on student development and academic growth.
Test scores show that 13% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 22% meet proficiency standards in Math. Located in a bustling part of Brooklyn, PS/IS 157 offers its students a vibrant urban setting with opportunities to engage with their community.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (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
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Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) — Students at Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 5 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: 4.3/10.
How Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) Compares
See how Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
850 KENT AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 380 JOHN WAYNE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YESHIVA TZEMACH TZADIK VIZNITZ (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 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 11205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,753
Median Home Value
$892,800
Median Rent
$2,307/mo
Population
50,205
College Educated
52.5%
Homeownership
29%
Avg Commute
35.8 min
Poverty Rate
26.7%
Median Age
30.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) has a median household income of $86,753. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $892,800, with a median rent of $2,307/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 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 |
|---|---|
| BRIGHTER CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Albany, NY | 4.5 |
| E A MCALLISTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sherrill, NY | 4.5 |
| EARTH SCHOOL New York, NY | 4.5 |
| HARVEY C FENNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Falconer, NY | 4.5 |
| PINE CITY SCHOOL Pine City, NY | 4.5 |
| PS 56 HARRY EICHLER Richmond Hill, NY | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)
What grades does Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) serve?
Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)?
Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)?
The student-teacher ratio at Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) rank in NY?
Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) is ranked #4145 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)'s MySchoolScout rating?
Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) has a composite rating of 4.5 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/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) has 22.0% math proficiency and 12.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) a charter school?
No, Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) a Title I school?
No, Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (the)?
83.6% of students at Ps/is 157 Benjamin Franklin Heath and Science Academy (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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 622-9285
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14- District Enrollment
- 15,196
- Schools in District
- 38
- District Rank
- #34 of 38
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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