I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro (21K281) is a public school in District 21, Bensonhurst East, Brooklyn, serving grades 6–8. In 2026, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 65% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 1105 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 math proficiency is 65%, higher than most NYC middle schools, including those with similar economic need; math has held at 63–67% since the state's new tests began in 2023.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 20% in reading (187 tested), compared with 49% schoolwide.
99%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
94%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 38% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain more than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.56 · 81st 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
49%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
1017 students tested
187 students tested
830 students tested
Mathematics
65%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
1037 students tested
182 students tested
855 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 | 55% | 52% |
| 2019 | 53% | 61% |
| 2022 | 61% | 46% |
| 2023 | 57% | 63% |
| 2024 | 55% | 67% |
| 2025 | 55% | 65% |
| 2026 | 49% | 65% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 42%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 70%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 78%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 89%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 79%
Economic need index: 83%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: >95%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 42%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 76%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 70%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 79%
Economic need index: 89%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 83%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 78%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: >95%1.4 mi away
| Measure | I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro | Kingsborough Early College School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 49% (-5 points vs 2025) | 56% (+4 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 65% (0 points vs 2025) | 41% (-3 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 1105 | 708 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 14.9 | 13.7 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 94% | 92% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 99% | 94% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 91% |
| Leadership (2026) | 98% | 95% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro has higher math proficiency than Kingsborough Early College School (65% vs 41%) and lower reading proficiency (49% vs 56%); 2026 reading is about typical for NYC middle schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
1105 students
6–8 · up 14 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
14.9
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
23%
was 27% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
84% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 79% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
20%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 25% White, 27% Hispanic, 40% Asian, 6% Black, 1% multiracial, 48% female, 52% male.
Economic need index: 79% — 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.
8787 24th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214, 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.