P.S. 156 Waverly

P.S. 156 Waverly (23K156) is a public school in District 23, Brownsville, Brooklyn, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 64% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 420 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 18.3 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).

At a glance for families

  • Grades served: pre-K, K–5
  • Neighborhood: Brownsville
  • Non-zoned

Locations (1)

P.S. 156 Waverly
104 Sutter Avenue
Brooklyn, Brownsville

School Quality

The one thing to remember

2026 math proficiency is 64%, about typical for NYC elementary schools and higher than most of those with similar economic need; up 14 points from 2025; math is up 21 points since 2023, while citywide math rose 6 points.

Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 31% in reading (74 tested), compared with 45% schoolwide.

What the numbers say

  • 2026 reading proficiency is 45%, higher than most NYC elementary schools with similar economic need. Reading is up 10 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.
  • Economic need is higher than at most district elementary schools (94% in 2025–26).

What its own parents say

95%

of parents trust the principal

95%

trust their child's teachers

90%

satisfied with the education overall

NYC School Survey 2026. 31% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.

Test scores in context

Student progress (2024–25)

DOE School Quality Report

Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students

Impact score: 0.46 · 37th percentile

The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.

View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot

Reading

45%

2026

students scored at Level 3 or 4

192 students tested

Level 126%
Level 229%
Level 333%
Level 412%

Results for students in special education and general education students (2026)

Students in special education31%

74 students tested

General education students54%

118 students tested

See grade-by-grade results
Grade 345%
Grade 456%
Grade 536%

Mathematics

64%

2026

students scored at Level 3 or 4

188 students tested

Level 114%
Level 222%
Level 343%
Level 421%

Results for students in special education and general education students (2026)

Students in special education48%

71 students tested

General education students74%

117 students tested

See grade-by-grade results
Grade 373%
Grade 462%
Grade 556%

Reading benchmarks

2026
This school45%
District 2342%
NYC public schools (DOE)51%

Math benchmarks

2026
This school64%
District 2349%
NYC public schools (DOE)58%

Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.

Proficiency over time

0%25%50%75%100%New state tests23%45%21%64%2018201920222023202420252026
ReadingMath

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

View the data behind this chart
YearReadingMath
201823%21%
201929%33%
202225%20%
202335%43%
202432%48%
202543%50%
202645%64%

Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.

How it ranks nearby

Reading · 2026

  1. Economic need index: 93%0.7 mi away

  2. Economic need index: >95%0.5 mi away

  3. Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away

  4. P.S. 156 Waverly (this school)45%

    Economic need index: 94%

  5. Economic need index: >95%0.3 mi away

  6. Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away

  7. Economic need index: >95%0.4 mi away

  8. Economic need index: >95%0.8 mi away

  9. Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away

Math · 2026

  1. Economic need index: 93%0.7 mi away

  2. Economic need index: >95%0.3 mi away

  3. P.S. 156 Waverly (this school)64%

    Economic need index: 94%

  4. Economic need index: 94%0.5 mi away

  5. Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away

  6. Economic need index: >95%0.5 mi away

  7. Economic need index: >95%0.4 mi away

  8. Economic need index: >95%0.8 mi away

  9. Economic need index: >95%0.7 mi away

P.S. 156 Waverly vs P.S./I.S. 323

MeasureP.S. 156 WaverlyP.S./I.S. 323
2026 reading proficient45% (+3 points vs 2025)38% (-23 points vs 2025)
2026 math proficient64% (+14 points vs 2025)67% (+8 points vs 2025)
Average K–5 class size (2025–26)18.318.6
Enrollment (2025–26)420311
Student–teacher ratio (2025–26)11.49.0
Family satisfaction (2026)90%93%
Principal trust (2026)95%96%
Teacher trust (2026)95%96%
Leadership (2026)94%97%
Distance between schools0.3 mi

P.S. 156 Waverly has higher reading proficiency than P.S./I.S. 323 (45% vs 38%) and lower family satisfaction (2026) (90% vs 93%).

Student body

Enrollment

420 students

pre-K, K–5 · down 99 over five years

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Class size

18.3

children in the average K–5 class; about 11.4 students per teacher (2025–26)

NYC DOE · 2025–26

English learners

7%

was 6% in 2024–25

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Economic need

93% of students live in poverty (2025–26)

Economic need index: 94% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Special education

33%

of students here are in special education

NYC DOE · 2025–26

Student body: 2% White, 29% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 66% Black, 1% multiracial, 52% female, 48% male.

Economic need index: 94% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.

More from the family survey

Leadership
94%
Disability support services
92%
Outreach
92%
Facilities
88%
Parent involvement
93%

NYC DOE · 2026 survey

School zone

NYC DOE · 2024–25

Know before you tour

Admissions

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.

Address

104 SUTTER AVENUE

How to read this page

  • Test scores measure one week in April. They say nothing about the art room, recess or whether your child will be happy. Tour the school.
  • Averages hide gaps. In 2026, students in special education here scored 31% in reading (74 tested), compared with 45% schoolwide. If that's your family, ask how the school will support your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.

Quick Facts

What is this provider?

  • Subject: K–12 Schools
  • Sub-Subjects: Kindergarten, Elementary School, Preschool
  • Location: Brownsville, Brooklyn
  • Address: 104 Sutter Avenue