P.S. 179 Kensington (20K179) is a public school in District 20, Kensington-Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 54% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 628 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 19.4 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
The one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 36%, about typical for NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need; down 6 points from 2025; reading is down 6 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.
Also worth knowing: 2026 math proficiency is 54%, about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need and lower than most district elementary schools.
98%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
93%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 57% of families answered.
Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.35 · 11th 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
36%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
305 students tested
37 students tested
268 students tested
Mathematics
54%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
314 students tested
38 students tested
276 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 | 33% | 39% |
| 2019 | 35% | 45% |
| 2022 | 38% | 44% |
| 2023 | 42% | 43% |
| 2024 | 37% | 50% |
| 2025 | 43% | 50% |
| 2026 | 36% | 54% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 83%1.7 mi away
Economic need index: 85%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 87%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 88%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 91%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 84%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 89%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 89%
Economic need index: 88%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 83%1.7 mi away
Economic need index: 91%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 85%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 87%1.1 mi away
Economic need index: 84%1.4 mi away
Economic need index: 89%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 89%
| Measure | P.S. 179 Kensington | P.S. 230 Doris L. Cohen |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 36% (-6 points vs 2025) | 51% (-19 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 54% (+5 points vs 2025) | 53% (-12 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 19.4 | 21.1 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 628 | 899 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 10.5 | 11.0 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 93% | 93% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 98% | 95% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 96% |
| Leadership (2026) | 97% | 94% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
P.S. 179 Kensington has lower reading proficiency than P.S. 230 Doris L. Cohen (36% vs 51%) and higher trust in principal (2026) (98% vs 95%); 2026 reading is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
628 students
pre-K, K–5 · down 103 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
19.4
children in the average K–5 class; about 10.5 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
47%
was 51% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
88% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 89% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
16%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 12% White, 19% Hispanic, 66% Asian, 2% Black, 0% multiracial, 50% female, 50% male.
Economic need index: 89% — 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.
202 AVENUE C
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.