M.S. 51 William Alexander (15K051) is a public school in District 15, Park Slope-Gowanus, Brooklyn, serving grades 6–8. In 2026, 71% of tested students were proficient in reading and 71% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 1037 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
The one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 71%, higher than most NYC middle schools and about typical for those with similar economic need; reading is up 5 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 29% in reading (174 tested), compared with 71% schoolwide.
97%
of parents trust the principal
92%
trust their child's teachers
90%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 37% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.44 · 36th 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
71%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
979 students tested
174 students tested
805 students tested
Mathematics
71%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
706 students tested
120 students tested
586 students tested
Grade 8 math not reported by the DOE.
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 | 84% | 82% |
| 2019 | 85% | 82% |
| 2022 | 68% | 55% |
| 2023 | 66% | — |
| 2024 | 60% | 67% |
| 2025 | 70% | 65% |
| 2026 | 71% | 71% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 35%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 41%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 39%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 47%
Economic need index: 53%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 73%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 49%1.8 mi away
Economic need index: 72%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 85%1.8 mi away
Economic need index: 35%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 41%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 47%
Economic need index: 39%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 53%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 49%1.8 mi away
Economic need index: 73%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 72%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 85%1.8 mi away
| Measure | M.S. 51 William Alexander | Park Slope Collegiate |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 71% (+2 points vs 2025) | 44% (-9 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 71% (+5 points vs 2025) | 48% (+3 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 1037 | 494 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 14.8 | 10.3 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 90% | 88% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 97% | 97% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 92% | 91% |
| Leadership (2026) | 96% | 94% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
M.S. 51 William Alexander has higher reading proficiency than Park Slope Collegiate (71% vs 44%) and higher math proficiency (71% vs 48%).
Enrollment
1037 students
6–8 · down 108 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
14.8
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
4%
was 5% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
49% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 47% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
19%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 26% White, 32% Hispanic, 27% Asian, 7% Black, 7% multiracial, 52% female, 48% male.
Economic need index: 47% — 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.
350 5 Avenue
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.