M.S. 035 Stephen Decatur (16K035) is a public school in District 16, Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn, serving grades 6–8. In 2026, 81% of tested students were proficient in reading and 73% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 198 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading (81%) and math (73%) proficiency are both higher than most NYC middle schools, including those with similar economic need; up 11 and 14 points from 2025.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 56% in reading (62 tested), compared with 81% schoolwide.
99%
of parents trust the principal
99%
trust their child's teachers
97%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 95% of families answered.
Students here gain more than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.8 · 99th 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
81%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
181 students tested
62 students tested
119 students tested
Mathematics
73%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
177 students tested
60 students tested
117 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 | 27% | 14% |
| 2019 | 38% | 28% |
| 2022 | 49% | 37% |
| 2023 | 60% | 61% |
| 2024 | 69% | 68% |
| 2025 | 70% | 59% |
| 2026 | 81% | 73% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 86%
Economic need index: 89%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 77%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 86%
Economic need index: 89%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 77%0.6 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away
| Measure | M.S. 035 Stephen Decatur | P.S. 308 Clara Cardwell |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 81% (+11 points vs 2025) | 20% (-9 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 73% (+14 points vs 2025) | 18% (+2 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 198 | 180 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 10.5 | 8.0 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 97% | 84% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 99% | 96% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 99% | 93% |
| Leadership (2026) | 99% | 95% |
| Distance between schools | 0.5 mi | |
M.S. 035 Stephen Decatur has higher math proficiency than P.S. 308 Clara Cardwell (73% vs 18%) and higher reading proficiency (81% vs 20%).
Enrollment
198 students
6–8 · down 10 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
10.5
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
2%
was 2% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
89% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 86% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
38%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 1% White, 14% Hispanic, 0% Asian, 84% Black, 1% multiracial, 51% female, 49% male.
Economic need index: 86% — 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. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.
272 Macdonough Street
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.