Is Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer a good school?

Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer ranks 707 th of 2445 New York elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer?

In the 2022-23 school year, 262 students attended Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer.

What is the racial makeup of Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer?

Students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer are 37% African American, 36% White, 15% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 3% Asian, 1% American Indian.

Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Summary:

PS 56 Lewis H Latimer is an elementary school located in Brooklyn, New York, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 262 students. The school is part of the New York City Geographic District #13, which is ranked 624 out of 865 districts in New York and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

PS 56 has shown a mixed academic performance over the years, with its statewide ranking ranging from 707 (4 stars) to 2119 (1 star) out of over 2,400 New York elementary schools. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school performed better than the district and state averages in English Language Arts (ELA) for grades 3-5, but its Math and Science proficiency rates were lower. The school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with White students consistently performing at the highest level, while African American and Hispanic students, as well as students with special needs and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, perform below the state average.

Nearby schools, such as PS 9 Sarah Smith Garnet School, PS 54 Samuel C Barnes, and PS 11 Purvis J Behan, have similar demographic and socioeconomic profiles to PS 56 but generally outperform the school in academic achievement, with PS 11 Purvis J Behan ranking in the top 2% of New York elementary schools. Despite the school's relatively high per-student spending and low student-teacher ratio, its academic performance remains below the district and state averages, raising questions about the effective use of resources.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

170 Gates Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238

(718) 857-3149

District: New York City Geographic District #13

SchoolDigger Rank:
707^th of 2,445 New York Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $20,969

Student/teacher ratio: 13.7

Number of students: 262

Racial breakdown:

African American:

37.4%

White:

36.3%

Hispanic:

14.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 42.4%

See top rated New York elementary schools

Compare Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer ranks better than 71.1% of elementary schools in New York. It also ranks 6^th among 18 ranked elementary schools in the New York City Geographic District #13. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.91. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (37.4%), White (36.3%), Hispanic (14.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 42.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer is 13.7. 12 elementary schools in the New York City Geographic District #13 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer employs 19.1 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer is $20,969. 10 elementary schools in the New York City Geographic District #13 spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer:

SchoolDigger ranks Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer 707^th of 2445 New York public elementary schools. (See Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

White students:

New York City Geographic District #13:

SchoolDigger ranks New York City Geographic District #13 624^th of 865 New York school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

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Rank History for all students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2006	32.09	1689^th	2206	23.4%
2007	29.84	1720^th	2219	22.5%
2008	34.89	1676^th	2227	24.7%
2009	18.25	1997^th	2257	11.5%
2010	27.66	1787^th	2263	21.0%
2011	54.87	1149^th	2286	49.7%
2012	49.18	1343^rd	2320	42.1%
2013	55.84	952^nd	2325	59.1%
2014	44.73	1311^th	2345	44.1%
2015	55.63	1017^th	2352	56.8%
2016	44.23	1333^rd	2366	43.7%
2017	27.79	1801^st	2386	24.5%
2018	15.99	2119^th	2395	11.5%
2019	23.34	1902^nd	2413	21.2%
2021	43.74	1257^th	2201	42.9%
2022	33.40	1675^th	2434	31.2%
2023	53.37	1073^rd	2439	56.0%
2024	67.91	707^th	2445	71.1%

See the entire list of New York Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	75.75	78^th	279	72.0%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	28.87	1540^th	1941	20.7%
2019	32.30	1251^st	1859	32.7%
2022	28.19	1624^th	2031	20.0%
2023	55.53	635^th	2016	68.5%
2024	66.65	446^th	2110	78.9%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2022	8.06	2066^th	2099	1.6%
2023	20.02	1784^th	2041	12.6%
2024	34.63	1361^st	2078	34.5%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	25.30	634^th	730	13.2%
2019	36.98	386^th	570	32.3%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	24.28	1909^th	2338	18.3%
2019	23.60	1894^th	2357	19.6%
2022	29.33	1784^th	2401	25.7%
2023	51.09	1128^th	2403	53.1%
2024	65.36	733^rd	2413	69.6%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	14.76	2141^st	2340	8.5%
2019	24.95	1841^st	2358	21.9%
2022	39.12	1477^th	2400	38.5%
2023	54.20	1044^th	2400	56.5%
2024	66.69	709^th	2411	70.6%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	42.03	536^th	948	43.5%
2019	43.23	451^st	891	49.4%
2022	37.97	562^nd	936	40.0%
2023	36.61	533^rd	857	37.8%
2024	33.42	622^nd	927	32.9%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	55.43	549^th	1429	61.6%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NY State Percentile
2022	70.21	383^rd	1399	72.6%
2023	87.71	116^th	1337	91.3%
2024	93.56	41^st	1392	97.1%

See the entire list of Best New York Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: NY State Education Department, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: NY State Education Department

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)

100%

by a parent
Monday, January 22, 2018

we have a kid in K at PS56. The school is growing and changing but it is only getting better. We have nothing but good things to say about the teachers or administration. Every parent I have talked to have said the same and most importantly, the kids are happy and engaged. They also have a good afterschool program and enrichment. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1989	5	634	1	32	0	n/a	n/a	672
1990	7	612	1	33	0	n/a	n/a	653
1991	6	610	3	45	1	n/a	n/a	665
1992	8	616	1	36	0	n/a	n/a	661
1993	7	651	1	39	2	n/a	n/a	700
1994	4	614	2	26	1	n/a	n/a	647
1995	8	570	6	34	9	n/a	n/a	627
1996	8	570	6	34	9	n/a	n/a	627
1997	9	588	1	50	5	n/a	n/a	653
1998	5	511	5	48	4	n/a	n/a	573
1999	4	522	9	42	5	n/a	n/a	582
2000	7	534	6	40	4	n/a	n/a	591
2001	7	506	11	43	4	n/a	n/a	571
2002	5	511	10	42	6	n/a	n/a	574
2003	5	511	10	42	6	n/a	n/a	574
2004	10	525	9	39	4	n/a	n/a	587
2005	5	383	8	33	2	n/a	n/a	431
2006	8	354	7	38	1	n/a	n/a	408
2007	6	308	6	36	2	n/a	n/a	358
2008	11	301	8	25	4	n/a	n/a	349
2009	9	269	7	35	3	n/a	n/a	323
2010	17	248	2	27	2	n/a	n/a	296
2011	13	235	7	33	2	0	0	290
2012	5	217	1	23	3	9	0	258
2013	4	203	3	23	3	2	0	238
2014	7	195	7	25	1	0	0	235
2015	8	186	6	26	1	0	3	230
2016	9	164	9	22	1	0	1	206
2017	16	149	5	24	2	2	2	200
2018	32	139	4	34	0	0	4	213
2019	64	137	9	39	1	3	8	261
2020	80	135	5	44	1	1	12	278
2021	81	127	4	39	1	1	18	271
2022	84	106	5	34	3	1	17	250
2023	95	98	7	38	3	1	20	262

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	672	47.9	14.0	n/a
1990	653	47.9	13.6	n/a
1991	665	47.9	13.8	n/a
1992	661	44.9	14.7	n/a
1993	700	45.3	15.5	n/a
1994	647	46.0	14.1	n/a
1995	627	37.0	16.9	n/a
1996	627	37.0	16.9	n/a
1997	653	39.2	16.7	92.8
1998	573	36.0	15.9	92.7
1999	582	45.2	12.9	94.8
2000	591	48.2	12.3	96.1
2001	571	50.0	11.4	93.9
2002	574	n/a	n/a	n/a
2003	574	n/a	n/a	n/a
2004	587	n/a	n/a	n/a
2005	431	n/a	n/a	0
2006	408	41.0	10.0	94.6
2007	358	35.5	10.1	91.6
2008	349	30.0	11.6	86
2009	323	32.0	10.1	89.5
2010	296	31.0	9.5	n/a
2011	290	28.0	10.3	91.7
2012	258	22.0	11.7	88.4
2013	238	19.9	11.9	90.3
2014	235	18.0	13.0	86
2015	230	19.0	12.1	81.7
2016	206	17.0	12.1	83
2017	200	15.9	12.5	79
2018	213	18.6	11.4	75.6
2019	261	22.0	11.8	64.8
2020	278	23.0	12.0	55
2021	271	24.5	11.0	48
2022	250	20.0	12.5	43.6
2023	262	19.1	13.7	42.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ps 56 Lewis H Latimer

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	672	47.9	14.0	n/a
1990	653	47.9	13.6	n/a
1991	665	47.9	13.8	n/a
1992	661	44.9	14.7	n/a
1993	700	45.3	15.5	n/a
1994	647	46.0	14.1	n/a
1995	627	37.0	16.9	n/a
1996	627	37.0	16.9	n/a
1997	653	39.2	16.7	92.8
1998	573	36.0	15.9	92.7
1999	582	45.2	12.9	94.8
2000	591	48.2	12.3	96.1
2001	571	50.0	11.4	93.9
2002	574	n/a	n/a	n/a
2003	574	n/a	n/a	n/a
2004	587	n/a	n/a	n/a
2005	431	n/a	n/a	0
2006	408	41.0	10.0	94.6
2007	358	35.5	10.1	91.6
2008	349	30.0	11.6	86
2009	323	32.0	10.1	89.5
2010	296	31.0	9.5	n/a
2011	290	28.0	10.3	91.7
2012	258	22.0	11.7	88.4
2013	238	19.9	11.9	90.3
2014	235	18.0	13.0	86
2015	230	19.0	12.1	81.7
2016	206	17.0	12.1	83
2017	200	15.9	12.5	79
2018	213	18.6	11.4	75.6
2019	261	22.0	11.8	64.8
2020	278	23.0	12.0	55
2021	271	24.5	11.0	48
2022	250	20.0	12.5	43.6
2023	262	19.1	13.7	42.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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