I.S. 096 Seth Low (21K096) is a public school in District 21, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, serving grades 6–8. In 2026, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 53% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 848 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 40%, about typical for NYC middle schools, including those with similar economic need; down 7 points from 2025.
Also worth knowing: Math is up 5 points since 2023, while citywide math rose 6 points.
98%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
95%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 49% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.5 · 59th percentile
The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.
View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality SnapshotReading
40%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
764 students tested
157 students tested
607 students tested
Mathematics
53%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
683 students tested
132 students tested
551 students tested
Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.
New York changed its grades 3–8 tests in 2023. Compare years from 2023 onward with each other, not with earlier years.
Citywide reading scores fell sharply in 2026; NYC Public Schools is reviewing the results. Source: NYC Public Schools
| Year | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 39% | 43% |
| 2019 | 38% | 47% |
| 2022 | 47% | 27% |
| 2023 | 44% | 48% |
| 2024 | 45% | 54% |
| 2025 | 47% | 55% |
| 2026 | 40% | 53% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 70%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 77%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 78%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 79%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 88%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 84%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 83%
Economic need index: 86%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 70%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 79%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 77%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 84%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 83%
Economic need index: 88%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 78%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.6 mi away
| Measure | I.S. 096 Seth Low | Brooklyn Studio Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 40% (-7 points vs 2025) | 37% (-12 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 53% (-2 points vs 2025) | 37% (-4 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 848 | 860 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 9.4 | 11.4 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 95% | 92% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 98% | 93% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 94% |
| Leadership (2026) | 97% | 97% |
| Distance between schools | 0.6 mi | |
I.S. 096 Seth Low has higher math proficiency than Brooklyn Studio Secondary School (53% vs 37%).
Enrollment
848 students
6–8 · up 54 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
9.4
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
27%
was 31% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
86% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 83% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
21%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 34% White, 34% Hispanic, 25% Asian, 6% Black, 0% multiracial, 49% female, 51% male.
Economic need index: 83% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.
NYC DOE · 2026 survey
NYC DOE · 2024–25
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. Check the attendance zone shown above; zones can change and do not guarantee a seat.
99 Avenue P Floor 4, Brooklyn, NY 11204, USA
Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · School information · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.