Very Good
#709 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 15% in state
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies
High School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
521 WEST AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#98 of 570
public schools
New York high schools
#162 of 1,160
In district
#10 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies serves 589 students in grades 9-12 in Brooklyn's diverse 11224 neighborhood. This regular public school maintains a favorable 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 46 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #739 out of 4,758 New York high schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 95% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance is also solid, with 87% of students meeting proficiency standards. Located in a working-class Brooklyn community where the median household income is $40,467, the school serves a diverse population in an area where about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood reflects the economic diversity common in many Brooklyn areas, with a poverty rate of 28.6% alongside median home values of $500,700. Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies operates within Brooklyn's vibrant urban landscape, providing students with both strong academics and the rich cultural opportunities that come with attending school in one of New York City's most dynamic boroughs.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies — Students at Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 6.4/10.
How Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies Compares
See how Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 82% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 92% (2019) to 97.5% (2021).
Location
521 WEST AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WILLIAM E GRADY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LIBERATION DIPLOMA PLUS (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IS 303 HERBERT S EISENBERG Brooklyn | 0.0 mi | 7.9 |
| CONEY ISLAND PREPARATORY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.0 mi | 4.4 |
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| PS 100 CONEY ISLAND SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| PS 370 Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| YESHIVAT MAGEN ABRAHAM Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| PS 216 ARTURO TOSCANINI Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| WILLIAM E GRADY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| PS 90 EDNA COHEN SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| PS 721 BROOKLYN OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| AHI EZER YESHIVA SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| PS 253 Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 209 MARGARET MEAD Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| PS 95 GRAVESEND (THE) Brooklyn | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| PS 212 LADY DEBORAH MOODY Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| LIBERATION DIPLOMA PLUS Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| PS 771 Brooklyn | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| PS 225 EILEEN E ZAGLIN (THE) Brooklyn | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,449
Median Home Value
$512,900
Median Rent
$905/mo
Population
48,469
College Educated
33.5%
Homeownership
28.3%
Avg Commute
47.7 min
Poverty Rate
28.2%
Median Age
47.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies has a median household income of $41,449. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $512,900, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 48 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 |
|---|---|
| BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE New York, NY | 7.9 |
| BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE QUEENS Long Island City, NY | 7.9 |
| HIGH SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES AT LEHMAN COLLEGE Bronx, NY | 7.9 |
| HIGH SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY New York, NY | 7.9 |
| NYC ISCHOOL New York, NY | 7.9 |
| THE MASTERS SCHOOL Dobbs Ferry, NY | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies
What grades does Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies serve?
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies?
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies has an enrollment of approximately 589 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies?
The student-teacher ratio at Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies rank in NY?
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies is ranked #709 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies's MySchoolScout rating?
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies has 87.0% math proficiency and 94.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies a charter school?
No, Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies a Title I school?
No, Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies?
78.8% of students at Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies 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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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 589
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 265-0329
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21- District Enrollment
- 34,525
- Schools in District
- 40
- District Rank
- #10 of 40
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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