P.S. 253 (21K253) is a public school in District 21, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, serving grades K–5. In 2026, 61% of tested students were proficient in reading and 82% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 948 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 26.6 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 math proficiency is 82%, higher than most NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need.
Also worth knowing: Average class size (2025–26) is 26.6, larger than most elementary schools in the district and citywide.
99%
of parents trust the principal
98%
trust their child's teachers
96%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 92% of families answered.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.57 · 70th 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
61%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
417 students tested
48 students tested
369 students tested
Mathematics
82%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
417 students tested
45 students tested
372 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 | 71% | 82% |
| 2019 | 76% | 92% |
| 2022 | 64% | 81% |
| 2023 | 64% | 86% |
| 2024 | 63% | 82% |
| 2025 | 71% | 80% |
| 2026 | 61% | 82% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 92%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 87%
Economic need index: 76%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 63%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 80%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 76%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 81%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 87%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 84%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 92%0.9 mi away
Economic need index: 87%
Economic need index: 76%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 80%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 63%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 81%1.3 mi away
Economic need index: 76%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 84%1.5 mi away
Economic need index: 87%0.3 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 253 | P.S. K225 - The Eileen E. Zaglin |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 61% (-10 points vs 2025) | 35% (-2 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 82% (+2 points vs 2025) | 48% (-3 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 26.6 | 23.1 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 948 | 1067 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 13.1 | 13.1 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 96% | 93% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 99% | 98% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 98% | 98% |
| Leadership (2026) | 98% | 97% |
| Distance between schools | 0.3 mi | |
P.S. 253 has higher reading proficiency than P.S. K225 - The Eileen E. Zaglin (61% vs 35%) and higher math proficiency (82% vs 48%).
Enrollment
948 students
K–5 · up 95 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
26.6
children in the average K–5 class; about 13.1 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
23%
was 26% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
88% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 87% — 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: 38% White, 25% Hispanic, 33% Asian, 1% Black, 2% multiracial, 46% female, 54% male.
Economic need index: 87% — 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.
2953 Brighton 6 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.